Council, chiefs spotlight pay disparities and staffing if consolidation proceeds

Multiple council members described firefighters leaving lower-paying districts for higher-paying neighboring departments, and chiefs urged the study to examine equalization of pay and benefits. One councilor said pay equity, not simply consolidation, should be the primary outcome to prevent turnover: "The biggest thing to me is the equity and pay," a council member said, arguing that firefighters trained by one district are lost to better-paying districts.

Speakers also emphasized that consolidation or standardization may require changes to minimum station manning and could trigger new stations or personnel costs; those items are "big ticket" considerations that the consultant should include in revenue and staffing forecasts. County staff and chiefs agreed the consultant should model salary equalization impacts on millage and budget forecasts.