Monday, 12 April 2010 01:58

Ione Special meeting to Look At Fire Services Staffing Plan

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slide2-ione_special_meeting_to_look_at_fire_services_staffing_plan.pngAmador County – The Ione City Council will hold a special meeting at 2:30 p.m. today (Monday, April 12th) to discuss city fire department staffing, salaries and benefits. The council will discuss the city’s plan, a members plan for the Amador Fire Protection Authority and Measure M funding. City Manager Kim Kerr (CURR) gave background information in a report to the board last week. She said the city has received more than $210,000 for the past year from the statewide Proposition 172 and Measure M, both ½-cent sales taxes. Measure M money was allocated by the AFPA and approved by the Amador Board of Supervisors last year, and Ione started receiving money last November. In July 2008, Ione adopted a Fire Engineer job description. Kerr said the “pay range for Fire Engineer needs to be established, but a 2008 salary survey recommended the range of $3,206 to $3,897 a month, plus benefits. Staff will present additional information at the meeting today on staff levels and costs. Kerr said: “Overall, staff is not recommending 100 percent staffing or spending 100 percent of the revenues from Measure M and Proposition 172 at this time due to the volatility in sales tax revenues.” She said “the city’s general fund does not have funds to support the fire staffing if there is not sufficient revenues to cover the employee and operational costs.” Currently, Ione Fire Department has a Duty Officer scheduled around the clock – for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. The on-duty Duty Officer “has to be within 5 miles” of Ione at all times. Ione Fire staff includes a Fire Chief, an Assistant Fire Chief, 7 Captains, and 26 fire fighters/engineers, plus support staff. Kerr said staff is “reviewing various staffing options that will build on the current” structure in place at the department. Fire Chief Ken Mackey and Kerr will present additional information to the city council at the meeting today and answer any questions. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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