The City Commission unanimously adopted a tentative three‑year collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), local 4173, covering firefighter EMTs, paramedics, driver/engineers and lieutenants. The agreement takes effect Oct. 1, 2025.

City staff described a package that includes a one‑time market adjustment applied by classification (ranging from about 9.33% to 16.65% for the classifications noted), annual 1.5% across‑the‑board adjustments for each of the three years of the contract, and merit increases for eligible employees until they reach the top of their pay range. The agreement adds a list of 10 comparator agencies for future market comparisons and raised the overtime cap for affected classifications from 40% to 50% of base salary.

Pension and retirement provisions were updated: members with 25 years of service become eligible to retire at any age, or at age 55 with at least 10 years of service. The agreement also provides for an extended DROP (deferred retirement option plan) and creates a supplemental retirement benefit (SRB) that will provide monthly benefits to retirees until they become Medicare eligible. Staff said the SRB will be funded by transferring excess state shared premium tax revenues and that the provision places no additional funding obligation on the city beyond those transfers.

City staff praised negotiating teams and noted the IAFF membership ratified the agreement unanimously on Aug. 13. Commissioners commended the mutual cooperation and the three‑year term that provides multi‑year labor cost visibility. The commission approved the agreement and recorded a unanimous voice vote.