Council approves career fire lieutenant position after split vote

The Windsor Heights City Council on Oct. 21 approved a resolution establishing a career lieutenant position in the city fire department to provide formal second-in-command leadership.

Fire Chief presented the proposal as an in-house succession and retention step, saying it would use existing staff and that the additional ongoing cost was “about $10,000” offset in part by lower consulting costs. The chief recommended a pay step of about 10–15 percent, suggesting 12 percent as competitive; staff estimated that would raise a promoted employee’s salary by roughly $7,700 to $9,200 depending on placement in the pay scale.

Chief said the role would provide continuity when he is absent and allow administrative tasks that are not appropriate for line staff to be handled by a trained leader. He told council that promotional candidates would be expected to take a minimum of 40 hours of additional training and that hiring would likely take at least six to eight weeks from posting.

Council members asked about budget timing and whether the position should be implemented immediately or at the start of a new fiscal year. Council Member Teresa Harms said she was not prepared to support the added ongoing cost mid-year and preferred delaying implementation until the new fiscal year; Harms voted no.

Council Member Lauren Campbell said career pathing helps retain talent and supported the move, and other council members emphasized the department’s small size and the need for formal leadership. The resolution passed on roll call 3–1 (yes: Susan; Michael Liby; Lauren Campbell; no: Teresa Harms).

The council also directed staff to add “paramedic preferred” language to the job description before posting, per a council request. The chief said the hiring timeline would likely push the first appointment into December or early next year if the council authorizes immediate recruitment.