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Kasson council approves $100 fire pension raise and 10% firefighter pay bump
Summary
Council approved a $100 annual increase to the Fire Department pension (to $3,300) and a 10% increase to firefighter hourly pay (from $10 to $11), with staff noting the pension and wages will be reviewed annually against funding and portfolio performance.
The administrator recommended two separate actions for the Fire Department: a $100 increase to the annual pension benefit (from $3,200 to $3,300) and a 10% wage increase for hourly firefighters (raising base pay from $10 to $11 per hour). The pension increase was presented as an inflation‑linked adjustment tied to pension portfolio performance and funding targets; staff said they would evaluate increases annually and consider funding ratio guidelines when determining future changes.
Council moved and seconded the pension increase and approved it by voice vote. The council also voted to approve the 10% wage increase and discussed reviewing wages annually or biennially to avoid sudden large adjustments. Staff noted that matching neighboring county ambulance wages (a $12 per hour example) would be more expensive and that the proposed increase represents a modest, budgeted step.
Councilmembers asked for a guideline tying pension increases to the pension funding level; staff said they would monitor portfolio performance and funding ratios and adjust future increases accordingly.
