Council rejects fast-track for firefighters’ pay ordinance after members seek more review

A proposal to suspend council rules and fast-track an ordinance setting compensation for Fort Wayne firefighters failed in committee Wednesday after members said they needed more time for public review and fiscal analysis.

Fire Chief Eric Leahy told the council the contract talks had been "a year-and-a-half long process" and city leaders asked to expedite action to resolve the lengthy negotiation. Leahy said the department sought to implement an agreement promptly but acknowledged the council’s role in reviewing contracts.

Several council members expressed hesitation at bypassing the normal multi-week process. "To bypass the normal process seems unusual," Councilman Tom Inslee said, asking whether there would be fiscal consequences if the suspension did not pass. Leahy replied he did not expect direct taxpayer consequences from delaying the ordinance but said the department sought to conclude the contract negotiation.

The motion to suspend the rules failed in committee (the clerk reported four votes in favor and three against), so the ordinance will be introduced under the ordinary schedule and considered at a later meeting; council members indicated the item would be taken up again under the regular timeline for ordinance introduction and debate.

Why it matters: The proposed ordinance concerns compensation for the city’s second-largest department and unionized firefighters represented by Local 124. Council members said the normal review period provides time for the public to evaluate the measure and for members to examine fiscal details.

Next steps: The ordinance will be introduced in accordance with standard council procedure and returned for further committee and full-council consideration in the coming weeks.