Board ratifies two‑year agreement for battalion chiefs; pay and schedule changes set

The Board of County Commissioners voted April 21 to ratify a two‑year collective bargaining agreement with the IAFF battalion chiefs covering Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2027. County staff summarized provisions including a 4% general wage increase for fiscal year 2026, an increase in paramedic incentive pay from $6,000 to $6,500 with a further increase to $7,000 scheduled for October 2026, and an implementation of three‑week Kelly days that reduces the biweekly average work hours and converts battalion chiefs from exempt salaried status to nonexempt hourly employees eligible for overtime.

The county administrator said the agreement had been ratified by the bargaining unit and was presented for board ratification and authorization for the chairman to sign. Kristen Brewer, president of IFF Local 2201, thanked the board and staff for a collaborative negotiation process that began two and a half years ago and said the agreement provides parity and protections for chiefs.

Commissioners moved and seconded the ratification; the motion passed unanimously. Staff members noted human resources and fire chief involvement in completing the agreement and will follow through with implementation steps for payroll and scheduling changes.