Committee proposes countywide point‑value formula to equalize per‑point pay

Brian presented a proposed update to SOG 207.04 intended to simplify and equalize how participation points convert to dollars across Lancaster County. Under the existing approach, stations earned a local pool that produced variable per‑point values (often favoring low‑participation stations); the proposal would aggregate points for the entire county and divide the chosen funding total by the sum of county points so each earned point is worth the same amount regardless of station.

Brian said the proposal is meant to make the formula easier to read and fairer across stations: "If you earn a point in either one of those stations, it should be worth the same amount of money that somebody earns anywhere else in the county." He emphasized that the individual point calculations — things like extra credit for training, years of service, and apparatus qualifications — would remain unchanged; only the method for converting summed points into a dollar value would change.

Commissioners asked how the new approach would treat different call types and whether a per‑call weighting system might be appropriate. Presenters said the new system would still account for individual point differences (training, driver status) but would remove the station‑level pool that caused inconsistent per‑point dollars. The committee asked that stations circulate questions and comments and planned to revisit the proposal at the August meeting after collecting feedback.

No formal vote was taken; the committee will compile station feedback and return with a recommended ordinance/SOG amendment timeline.