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Council approves modest fire department pay adjustments and discusses EMS funding
Summary
Council approved proposed changes to fire department compensation that increase some officer/EMS stipends and maintain per‑call pay; members noted the department remains primarily volunteer and discussed a roughly $20,000 Benton County EMS allocation that could fund training and equipment.
Council reviewed a proposal from the fire department to adjust the pay structure for officers and add an EMS‑officer stipend. The fire‑department representative outlined that most members volunteer and that the requested changes were intended to recognize additional responsibilities and training burdens (examples discussed included raising some officer stipends from about $500 per year to a higher annual amount and creating two Benton County EMS officer stipends tied to an expected ~$20,000 EMS allocation from the county).
Officials discussed whether the department’s requested increases could be absorbed within the current budget or by reallocating LOST or other funds. The council approved the resolution moving the compensation changes forward; staff noted further budget timing and that any related spending would be reflected in the March budget process.
Council also touched on equipment needs and contingency funding for fireworks and other events as part of budget deliberations.
