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Council approves two‑year firefighters’ contract with pay and incentive changes
Summary
The City Council approved a two‑year tentative agreement with IAFF Local 1285 covering July 2026–June 2028 that includes COLAs, top‑step increases, new premium pay for paramedics, and training incentives; the package carries an estimated fiscal impact not to exceed $16,387,807.
City Manager Mike Jansen and human resources staff presented a tentative two‑year collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1285, which the bargaining unit ratified and whose membership voted to approve the tentative agreement.
Major fiscal provisions include a Year‑1 cost‑of‑living adjustment of 2.7 percent effective July 1, 2026, a 2 percent increase to top‑step salary schedules in both years, and a Year‑2 CPI‑based COLA (range 2–3.5%) to be determined at calendar‑year end. The agreement expands holiday premium pay (for July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) with a corresponding reduction in vacation slot availability, increases the biweekly city medical contribution by $15 in each year, raises the annual uniform allowance from $1,800 to $2,000, and adds $1,000 cash incentives for preceptor, hazmat and TRT certifications.
A notable change removes a separate 'firefighter‑paramedic' classification and replaces it with premium pay for employees who obtain and maintain paramedic licensure; staff said this gives the fire department more flexibility to assign paramedic‑certified personnel where needed.
Staff reported the total estimated fiscal impact of the agreement will not exceed $16,387,807 (the range reflects the yet‑to‑be‑determined Year‑2 CPI). Council called for acknowledgement of the negotiation teams and approved the agreement by motion (recorded as "Motion carries").
