Mayor Tony George will hire about a dozen new firefighters by the end of the month, reversing his decision to wait for an arbitrator’s ruling on collective bargaining.
City Administrator Rick Gazenski confirmed last week that interviews for the positions are being conducted.
Eighteen firefighters retired in 2018, and despite pleas from International Fire Fighters Association Local 104 to boost the ranks, George said he wanted to wait on an arbitrator’s decision to determine how many new hires the city could afford.
George budgeted for 72 firefighters this year, but the budget reflects a pay freeze. It’s likely the arbitrator will award raises for the firefighters in the decision, he said.
George said he decided to hire what he considers a reasonable number for now, given that the city would lose about $9,500 in state pension aid for each firefighter hired this year who doesn’t work at least six months.