Firefighter Salary, Benefits To Be Discussed Tonight

The San Carlos City Council will reconvene Monday at 7 p.m. to discuss firefighter salaries and benefits under the new hybrid model with Redwood City inside Coty Hall chambers.

 Firefighter/paramedic salaries will drop from $95,080 to $87,390, according to city documents, should the council choose to approve the new suggestions made by city staff.

 The “work period” will be measured as 212 hours within 28 days. Vacation will be accrued on a schedule of 48 hours per year, and firefighters can take paid vacation after six months. After four years that number will jump to 64 hours per year and will remain at that rate until fire fighters reach their eleventh year, when it jumps again to 68 hours of accrued paid vacation per year. The rate of paid vacation will then climb incrementally per year.

 Medical benefits also will be discussed at Monday’s meeting. The city’s meeting agenda said beginning Jan. 1, the city will pay into CalPERS based on the following formula: $324 per month for those without a plan or those who choose to opt out, $648 for employee only level of plan, $1,104.64 for the employee plus one plan, and $1,134.70 for those signed up for the level of employee plus two plans.

 On January 1, 2012, those monthly benefit contributions will increase.

 A 2 percent at 50 retirement formula has also been suggested by city staff, regarding retirement.

Come join us at 7 p.m. for the city council meeting at 600 Elm Street.