El Paso City negotiators propose 2% annual COLA, step changes and new incentive pay in draft contract

Presenter said El Paso’s firefighter ranks compare near the middle of the sample group and argued compensation changes are intended to maintain or improve the city’s relative position. “We’re recommending that it go to 2% for the next four years,” the presenter said, describing the cost‑of‑living adjustment proposal that would replace an earlier 3% FY2026 item.

The presenter said the proposal also raises the entry‑level firefighter salary — effectively eliminating step 1 and step 3 — and would adjust minimum salaries for FST, battalion chief, deputy chief and assistant chiefs to simplify the pay structure. The presenter described combining FS3 and FS7 with regular ranks “to clean up the pay scales.”

As part of a package of incentive changes, the presenter proposed a 5% assignment pay for flight medical paramedics while working on aircraft transport units. The presenter said the aggregate cost over the life of the contract would be $37.7 million “in comparison to the proposal.”

Supporters framed the package as necessary to keep the city competitive with peer jurisdictions and to address a workforce in which 54% of uniform employees are already at the maximum step; the presenter noted roughly 215 employees were eligible for retirement, which could affect staffing and long‑term costs. The presenter said proposed pay scales and detailed step tables will be provided to the group for review before the next meeting.

Chief acknowledged receipt of the materials and said the department will prepare pay scales and send them "late next week" so both sides can digest the proposed changes ahead of the May 1 follow-up meeting. No formal motion or vote was recorded at the meeting.