Members of a Poplar Bluff firefighters union would accept a delay in a pay raise under a proposed contract discussed Tuesday by the city council.
City officials are considering designating a possible new tax on marijuana to pay for this and other salary needs for police and fire.
The current contract expired Dec. 31 for Poplar Bluff Professional Firefighters I.S.F.F Local 2543, said Matt Winters, city manager.
Council members are expected to vote Feb. 5 on a new two-year contract.
The new contract would include multiple changes in pay and benefits, including a 5% raise. The raise would not start until 2025, Winters said, but would also include an additional 25 cents per hour raise for every five years of service.
“I appreciate them understanding on the pay and deferring their raise until next year,” Winters said.
Winters proposed dedicating the proceeds from a non-medical marijuana sales tax to fire and police department salary and benefit needs.
The tax will be before voters April 2 and could generate an estimated $300,000 per year.
No decisions were made by the council Tuesday.
Other items in the proposed firefighters contract are:
• Increasing the accrual of sick time from 19.2 hours per month to 24 hours per month. This would match the shifts that firefighters work, Winters said.
• Increasing the number of 24-hour vacation shifts that can be accumulated. This currently tops out at 10 after 20 years of service. The proposal would be: 11 shifts after 20 years and 1 day; 13 shifts after 23 years; and 13 shifts after 25 years.
• The addition of a $15,000 life insurance police covered by the city. This is part of the city’s group health plan for all employees, Winters said.
• A stipulation that says if a firefighter dies in the line of duty, the city will cover funeral expenses.
• The removal of the cap on the accrual of comp time.
• Eliminate the first two steps of the salary schedule. The base pay would go from $12.81 per hour currently to $14.10. Pay would increase to $15.57 after 24 months and top out at $16.13 per hour after three years.
Council member Jerrica Fox asked if the removal of the cap on comp time was normal across other city departments.
Winters said only police and fire departments can accumulate comp time and he was unsure what the policy was for the police department.
Union president Josh Buhler said comp time can be accrued when firefighter shifts are called back.
At times like this, such as for large fires, help beyond the staff on duty is needed.
The off duty staff can choose to be paid for the time or to receive the same amount of time off at a different time.
“It’s a benefit for the city if this continues to roll over versus having to pay it,” he said.