Stealth Pay Raise for the Fire Department

The second reading of an Ordinance creating "Assignment Pay" for selected Fire personnel is scheduled as item V, City Council Legislative Regular Agenda, on January 27, 2015.  According to the Ordinance, approximately 23 Fire personnel are eligible for "Assignment Pay" ranging from Paramedics to Fire Marshall and EMS Chief.  The "Assignment Pay" amounts begin at $200/month for Fire & Life Safety Specialists and tops out at $350/month for Fire Marshal and EMS Chief.  The personnel granted "Assignment Pay" are at the discretion of the Fire Chief without review or approval by the City Manager or designee.

This "Assignment Pay" adds about $80,400 to the annual payroll costs associated with the Fire budget. It is unclear if this additional pay causes increases in Health Insurance, Retirement, FICA, and Workman's Comp/Unemployment Insurance.

This looks like a 4%-8% pay raise for selected individuals hidden behind bureaucratic gobbledygook and is in addition to any cost of living raise granted by the Council.