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Council raises firefighter retirement benefit and approves vehicle purchases; officials cite retention and equipment needs
Summary
Council approved raising the firefighters' annual retirement benefit from $4,500 to $5,500 at the fire relief association's request, and authorized purchases including a CIP snow truck and a fire utility vehicle the relief association will reimburse.
The Foley City Council approved a request from the fire relief association to raise the annual retirement benefit level from $4,500 to $5,500 per year. Fire representative Brian Moer told the council the relief association's surplus and increased state aid made the increase feasible and stressed that competitive pay helps recruit and retain firefighters. The motion to increase the benefit carried by voice vote.
Council also approved equipment purchases discussed during the meeting. Public Works presented a $34,950 quote for a single-axle replacement snow truck from a vendor; council authorized the purchase and instructed staff to add a check to the bills so payment could move forward. Separately, the council approved the fire department's purchase of a utility vehicle through Murphy Chevrolet for $6,350; the firefighters relief association will reimburse that purchase on delivery. Council noted the city will pay for required warning lights from the fire fund.
Fire staff also announced a $5,000 grant award for cribbing/portable extrication equipment and said they plan to reapply for a separate PRA grant for additional portable gear. Councilors discussed how Foley's relief association retirement level compares with neighboring towns and recorded support for the firefighter benefit increase.
