Fire district contract approved; board also greenlights engines, training centers and updated billing rates

The Board approved a three‑year collective bargaining agreement between the Story County Fire Protection District and the Story County Firefighters Association Local 4227, following presentations from Fire Chief Bob Reiser and Fire District Comptroller Jennifer McCain.

Reiser said negotiators reduced the step schedule from seven to five steps to keep wages competitive, adjusted incentive and benefit packages, and included increased education and development funding. McCain estimated the financial impact at approximately $1.4 million in year one, $880,000 in year two, and $760,000 in year three — about $3.3 million total — and noted year‑one costs are unbudgeted and may require augmentations later.

Following contract approval, commissioners approved a capital budget allocation of $2,600,000 for two Type 1 fire engines (Stations 74 and 75) and authorized purchase of two facility training centers for Stations 72 and 75. The board also approved updated 2026–27 declared costs (fee schedule for personnel/apparatus billing) and adopted Resolution 26‑827 to authorize portal‑to‑portal pay for district members responding to California Office of Emergency Services requests. All related motions passed unanimously.

County and fire leaders said the changes aim to keep the district competitive for recruitment and sustain operational capability while aligning benefits with regional peers; Comptroller McCain said the district may return next fiscal year for budget augmentations tied to year‑one costs.