The Boca Grande Fire Department Board have voted unanimously - albeit reluctantly - to grant firefighters a 2 percent increase.
Union firefighters who have earned automatic longevity increases will make more than the 2 percent across-the-board pay raises, including some who will pull down 6 percent raises. Longevity increases are granted after six years of service.
There will, however, be no BGFD-inspired millage increase to support the pay raises. The BGFD Board decided the money would come from reserves and not from increased property taxes. The BGFD Board considered four options, including no pay increase and 1 percent or 3 percent before deciding on the 2 percent bump.
Article Photos
BGFD Fire Chief C.W. Blosser secured a raise for firefighters this year but said next year might bring no increases.
BGFD Board members Braxton Bowen, Mark Spurgeon and Sandy Burkhart considered a pay freeze in light of the tough economic conditions faced by taxpayers.
"I know too many people who are at the end of their rope," Bowen said. "And that's who we're getting the money from to give these raises."
"If we want to do a 2 percent cost-of-living increase this year, after 3 percent last year," said BGFD Fire Chief C.W. Blosser in lobbying the board. "We'll let them know next year it's going to be flat. This buys us some time,"
Fact Box
To Go
What: Boca Grande Fire Department Board meeting
When: 5 p.m. Aug. 18
Where: 360 E. Railroad Ave.
Why: fire control-related matters
Contact: 964-2908
BGFD call volume
YearCalls
2012323
2011270
2010276
2009255
2008261
2007248
SOURCE: Boca Grande Fire Department over nearly seven months of year.
To Go
What: Boca Grande Fire Department Board millage hearing
When: 5:15 p.m. Sept. 6
Where: 360 E. Railroad Ave.
Why: first hearing
Contact: 964-2908
To Go
What: Boca Grande Fire Department Board millage hearing
When: 5:15 p.m. Sept. 19
Where: 360 E. Railroad Ave.
Why: second hearing
Contact: 964-2908
The BGFD carried $2.018 million in reserves into this fiscal year and how much the pay raise will take out of the pot was not immediately clear.
In other BGFD action:
Matt Strube, 25, of Arcadia, beat out nine other finalists to claim a BGFD firefighter position. His starting wage is more than $36,000. He'll be the fourth paramedic on staff. His first shift was July 14.
An eight-person golf cart took out the hydrant at Gulf and Pilot. The driver will pay the replacement costs, Blosser said. "We'll get a new hydrant out of the deal," he said.
The BGFD handled one fire caused by an iguana shorting a Florida Power & Light circuit, 14 medical assists, five service calls, four hazardous conditions, two good intent calls and 16 false alarms.
Benefit car washes will likely become an activity of the past as water costs have risen along with liability concerns, Blosser said. "This isn't the only place - or even the best place - kids can hold these car washes," he said.
