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Fire department seeks higher relief benefit after state pension cap rises
Summary
The Personnel and Finance Committee approved the Fire Department Relief Association annual report and authorized raising the benefit level to $16,750 per year of service after a recent state pension bill raised the state cap to $20,000; the fund reports a $419,000 surplus and 107% funding.
The City of Brainerd Personnel and Finance Committee voted Aug. 4 to approve the Fire Department Relief Association annual report and to raise the department’s authorized benefit level to $16,750 per year of service.
Joe (Joey E, Brainerd Fire Department) told the committee the relief fund is well funded — ‘‘we are 107% funded with a $419,000 surplus’’ — and that the request reflects a change in state policy. He said a governor‑signed omnibus pension bill enacted May 23 moved the state cap to $20,000 per year of service, allowing the local fund to increase its benefit level.
The committee moved to accept and sign the annual report and to authorize the benefit increase; the motion carried on a voice vote. No individual vote tallies or names were recorded in the transcript.
Why it matters: the Relief Association pays retirement‑style benefits tied to years of service for fire personnel; changes in the state cap affect how much local associations can authorize and pay. Committee members did not request further information before approving the motion.
The committee took the action during its regular Personnel and Finance Committee meeting; the association’s representatives left after the vote.
