HomeMy WebLinkAbout#06 - POC Firefighter Pay ScaleSTAFF REPORT
DATE: December 6, 2022
CONSENT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
REVIEWED BY: Dustin Kalis, Fire Chief
AGENDA ITEM: 2023 Paid On Call Firefighter Pay Increases
BACKGROUND: As we move to transition all employees to a January 1 wage adjustment date, we are proposing the revised pay for paid on call firefighters effective 1/1/23. ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Should the proposed wage increases be approved for the City of Lake Elmo paid on call firefighters? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Attached is a memo from Chief Kalis outlining the proposed 2023 rates. This new structure provides a more consistent rate by having the part time rate only apply to the current part timer. This is a position that will no longer be filled and allowed to be eliminated through attrition as the city moves to a combination fire department with more career (full time) staff.
This proposal also aims to incentivize firefighters to attain the Engineer or EMT level. Engineers have been identified as a need within the department. The different levels of pay for captain and lieutenant are also meant to be reflected of the different officer levels. A new proposed rate of holiday pay would only apply to those schedule to work a shift on the
city’s identified holidays. This allows us to schedule paid on call firefighters to staff the station at more economical rate than the full timers. The new structure eliminates the officer stipend to avoid confusion about what work might fall under the hourly rate and what would be considered compensation under the stipend.
Lastly, the proposed rates allow the city to remain competitive in the market. FISCAL IMPACT: The increase is hourly rates is partially offset by the elimination of officer stipends and is
provided for in the proposed 2023 budget estimates.
OPTIONS: 1) Approve the pay adjustments as presented 2) Approve different pay adjustments
3) Do not approve any pay adjustments
RECOMMENDATION:
If removed from the consent agenda: Motion to approve the 2023 paid on call firefighter pay rates as presented. ATTACHMENT:
• 11/29/22 memo
“Proudly Serving Neighbors & Friends”
Lake Elmo Fire Department
Memorandum
To: Fire Department Staff
From: Dustin Kalis, Fire Chief
Date: 11/29/2022
Re: 2023 Fire Department Paid On Call Pay Rates
_______________________________________________________________________________________ Fire Department Paid on Call Pay Rates
- Operations have changed due to response and staffing structure.
- Planning is based on current and proposed 2023 staffing structure.
- Updated fire department pay rates go into effect January 1, 2023.
- Timing of future pay rate adjustments would coincide with city pay rate market adjustments.
Goals for the updated 2023 pay rates:
- Continue to support a comparable pay rate structure.
- Increase all rank based hourly rates.
- Create a holiday pay rate at 1.5X hourly rate. This rate would be paid to those working a duty shifts (in-
station) on a city holiday.
- Officer stipend is discontinued. Dollar amount allocated goes to pay rate increase.
- Support Service staff updated to meet 2023 minimum wage rate ($10.59).
- Continue to utilize paid-on-call staff to fill open weekend duty shifts. As additional FT career positions
are hired, adjustments will be made to paid-on-call duty shift requirements to supplement the crew
schedule.
- Stand-by pay rates do not change (weekend stand-by, ems responder stand-by) and are used on an as
needed basis. Maintaining these will be helpful as we transition to career staff. As additional career
staff are brought on, stand-by type coverage decreases or is eliminated.
Rate 2022 2023
Officer $16.74 N/A
Captain $16.74 $18.68 per hour
Lieutenant $16.74 $18.18 per hour
Engineer or EMT $15.71 $17.68 per hour
Firefighter $14.42 $16.35 per hour
Probation $12.36 $14.23 per hour
Substitute Firefighter Rate $17.99 N/A
Part Time Firefighter * $17.99 $17.99 per hour (*Rate maintained for last remaining PT position)
Support Services $10.33 $10.59 per hour
Holiday Duty Shift Coverage 1.5 x rate per hour / as needed
EMS Responder Stand-By $5.00 $5.00 per hour / as needed
Stand-By From Home $2.50 $2.50 per hour / as needed