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Soldier Township firefighters report 100% no-confidence vote over new pay scale; board tables pay changes, schedules special meeting
Summary
Firefighters told the Soldier Township Board they are dissatisfied with a newly implemented pay scale and said they held a 100% participation no-confidence vote in Administrator Audree Guzman. The board tabled COLA/bonus decisions and set a special meeting for Feb. 18 to continue the matter.
Kaleb Mize, speaking for Soldier Township firefighters during public comment, told the board the department was dissatisfied with a recently implemented pay scale and "have conducted a vote of no confidence in Administrator Guzman, obtaining a 100%-member participation." The board did not take immediate corrective action on that announcement.
Administr ator Audree Guzman had presented the administration's proposal for 2025 cost-of-living adjustments and bonuses: full‑time employees would receive a $200 bonus if they had no workers' compensation claims in 2024 and an additional $800 if they were employed for the entire year (prorated for hires during 2024). The newly adopted pay scale also set a new base rate for part‑time and volunteer firefighters; full‑time firefighter increases were tied to years of service under the pay grade scale.
After discussion among trustees, Member Mike Mathes moved to table consideration of the 2025 COLA and bonus policy until the next meeting; Member Jerry Glasgow seconded and the motion carried. The board scheduled a special meeting for Feb. 18, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. to continue the matter and further review compensation concerns raised by firefighters.
The board's action to table means no change to the pay scale or bonuses was adopted at the Feb. 11 meeting. The public comment record does not show a board response to the no‑confidence vote beyond scheduling further discussion; the minutes also record that the board later recessed into an executive session to discuss an individual employee's performance under K.S.A. 75‑4319(b)(1).
