Council weighs police and EMS compensation adjustments as EMS market gap prompts larger increase

Councilors examined proposed compensation adjustments for sworn police officers and EMS personnel during the workshop. Staff said the police union requested a 5% increase, which council may negotiate, and that the EMS package includes about a 12% market adjustment funded in the draft budget.

“All sworn officers are getting the 5% as of right now, per the CBA,” staff said, adding the EMS package totals a roughly 12% adjustment in the budget. Several council members suggested negotiating the police request down to 3% to free funds for EMS and other priorities; staff emphasized negotiations are ongoing and that the 5% figure is the union’s request rather than an obligation.

Council also discussed fire-department staffing and stipend limits for volunteers, noting legal and budgetary constraints on converting stipend volunteers to employees. Staff will prepare more detailed cost breakdowns and a draft negotiation posture to present to the council at the next meeting.