Storey County approves three‑year firefighters contract, OKs $2.6M for two fire engines

Storey County commissioners on July 7 approved a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with the Storey County Firefighters Association Local 4227 covering July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029. Fire Chief Bob Ryser told the board the negotiated contract updates the wage‑step system and includes benefit changes intended to aid recruitment and retention.

Comptroller Jennifer McCain said elements of the package include a 5 percent increase for sergeants and lieutenants; she estimated the overall financial impact on the county budget would be under $300,000. Chief Ryser described a change in the wage scale “from a 7‑step to a 5‑step” as a standout item designed to keep the District competitive in the region.

Alongside the labor contract, the board approved a capital budget allocation of $2,600,000 to purchase two Type 1 fire engines for Fire Stations 74 and 75 and to cover apparatus upfitting. Commissioners also approved capital allocations for two facility training centers for Stations 72 and 75 and adopted updated 2026/2027 declared costs for personnel and equipment; those declared costs establish the fee schedule used for Cal OES portal‑to‑portal reimbursement and the County’s WFPP agreement.

The board approved Resolution No. 26‑827 to adopt the 2026/2027 portal‑to‑portal billing rate agreement for District employees who respond to Cal OES requests; the resolution passed with a recorded vote of two in favor and one absence on the roll. The series of actions related to the Fire Protection District were adopted by unanimous votes where recorded and by the vote totals shown in the minutes.