Mayor Joseph Solomon said Wednesday he wouldn’t be surprised if by the time a fiscal note is prepared on a tentative three-year firefighters’ contract agreement, it shows more savings than the “revenue neutral” plan it is being touted as.
“We highlighted at a minimum what the savings were…tried to take a conservative approach on that. Don’t be surprised if there’s going to be maybe more of an increased benefit cost-wise,” he said.
Later in the interview, Solomon said, “I’ve done it my way. My way is something that has been unheard of and hasn’t occurred in 20 years…For the next three years, it’s cost neutral. I’m very proud of a neutral cost three-year contract…I put that up against any other community or any other individual, even in the private sector. There’s no cost increase. There’s over a $450,000 savings in the first year.”
That’s not the way some people see the agreement as based on the administration’s press release and what’s been reported.