By Terry O’Connor
The Sarasota Herald Tribune
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Firefighters will earn an average of $10,740 more apiece — and some significantly more — under a recently negotiated three-year contract with the city that will cost an additional $870,000.
As city commissioners scrutinized their proposed budget during three days of workshop meetings this week, Fire Chief William Taaffe insisted the contract would not be financially debilitating for a city struggling to balance its budget amid steeply declining revenues.
Officials had calculated the effect of the deal, reached in a settlement after nearly three years of negotiations, in formulating the budget plan.
The salary boost for firefighters stands in contrast to cuts recently accepted by Charlotte County firefighters, who have agreed over the last few months to $4 million in wage concessions. Other Southwest Florida fire departments have responded to declining revenues with layoffs.
Commissioner David Garofalo said the difference between Charlotte County’s firefighter pay and North Port’s situation is market-driven.
“Charlotte County firefighters, pound for pound, were paid above market level,” Garofalo said. “Our contract is in line with theirs now.”
Under the new North Port contract, the amount each firefighter receives depends on level of service and eligibility for lump sum payouts.
The pact contains roughly a 4.5 percent raise across the board, according to a union official.
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