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Council hears midcycle budget update; city staff propose nine-person relief pool for fire staffing to cut overtime and injuries on duty
Summary
City finance staff presented a midcycle budget showing long-term pressures from pension and liability costs and proposed a nine‑person relief staffing pool for the fire department to reduce mandatory overtime and injured‑on‑duty costs; council asked staff and unions to continue collaborative planning before adoption.
The Fairfield City Council received a midcycle budget update from Director of Finance John Furtado on May 26 that projected higher revenues this year but significant long‑term pressures from CalPERS costs, rising general‑liability and workers'comp premiums and the financial impact of LLMD refunds.
Furtado outlined known impacts (including a projected $1.5 million LLMD refund reserve) and asked the council for direction on three proposals: renewing a limited‑duration battalion chief (through December to bridge an EMS contract award), building a relief staffing model for the fire department and a set of mostly cost‑neutral operational and personnel realignments.
The proposed relief staffing model would add nine firefighters (three per shift) in a centrally deployed 'relief' pool to cover vacancies, reduce mandated overtime and limit injured‑on‑duty exposure. Staff estimated an approximate $1.3 million first‑year cost while projecting the ongoing net savings would be modest (staff estimated roughly $100,000 annually once hires were trained and coverage stabilized).
Fire service leaders and the fire union urged careful design to preserve recruiting competitiveness and predictable schedules; the union warned that an ad‑hoc bullpen could harm retention unless the scheduling and employment terms are market‑competitive. Fire and labor representatives asked staff to complete joint planning on deployment, scheduling and training before any adoption.
Council members sought a range of options to cover the general deficit and asked staff to return with detailed implementation plans and budget documents at the formal adoption hearing next month. Staff said the limited‑duration battalion chief renewal and cost‑neutral personnel adjustments can proceed pending council direction, while the relief staffing model will be further developed with labor and brought back for a final budget vote.
