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Council approves modest raise for on-call public‑works and fire pay after debate
Summary
Ferrysburg council voted to raise public-works on-call pay from $100 to $125 per week and firefighters’ on-call pay from $50 to $75, rejecting a larger increase that lacked a second.
The Ferrysburg City Council approved an amendment to the personnel manual raising weekly on-call pay for Department of Public Works staff from $100 to $125 and for fire-department personnel from $50 to $75.
Staff described the change as a 25% increase designed to improve compensation for employees required to remain available for emergency response. Craig explained the change and said the annual cost to the city would be modest—roughly $1,300 per position per year—about $2,600 if applied to both public works and fire staff.
Several council members pushed for larger increases: one moved to raise public-works on-call pay to $200 per week and firefighters to $100, but the motion did not receive a second and therefore was not considered. Council members debated comparators and whether time-off or other nonmonetary compensation would be preferable; others said they did not believe the city would have trouble staffing rotations at the approved rate.
The council took a roll-call vote and approved the 125/75 weekly rates. Council member DeWitt voted no; Council members Kate, Sterling, Saas, Murdoch and Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery voted yes.
The change is effective as implemented in the personnel manual and staff said they will revisit compensation in future budget work sessions if recruiting or retention issues arise.
