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Home My WebLink About2000 10 23 Consent E Paramedic Incentive COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM E CONSENT X INFORMATIONAL PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR October 23,2000 MGR~:=:~t4 Meeting REQUEST: Fire Department requesting Commission authorization to increase the Paramedic Incentive from $3,900 annual to $5,500 annual. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Commission item is to gain authority to increase the Paramedic Incentive from $3,900 annual as established in 1985, to $5,500 annual effective October 26,2000. This increase is being recommended to retain current Firefighter Paramedics and to encourage applicants when positions are available. CONSIDERATIONS: In November 1980 the City of Winter Springs underwent a voter referendum and it was decided that the Fire Department would begin providing paramedic services as soon as possible. On January 28, 1982 the Fire Department was prepared and began providing the services as directed by the City Commission. The paramedic incentive in 1982 was originally set at $2,600.00 annual, plus a lO% salary grade adjustment. In approximately 1985 the paramedic incentive was changed to eliminate the 10% salary grade adjustment, but the incentive was increased to an annual incentive level of $3,900.00. This $3,900.00 annual incentive, which has been in place since 1985, was until recent times the highest in all of Central Florida, and was regarded by the City as a means to attract and retain the paramedic positions in Winter Springs. In the past six (6) months the Fire Department has experienced a loss of four (4) paramedics and has hired only one (1) for replacement purposes. The incentive, which previously was the highest in the area, is now the lowest. October 23, 2000 Consent Agenda Item "E" Page 2 The following information outlines Paramedic Incentives paid in Seminole County and is provided for consideration in regards to an incentive increase. It takes two (2) full years of education to become a Paramedic, and to retain those on staff with our current salary configuration, I would recommend an annual paramedic incentive of at least $5,500.00. Altamonte Springs Fire Department Casselberry Fire Department Lake Mary Fire Department Longwood Fire Department Oviedo Fire Department Sanford Fire Department Seminole County Fire Department Winter Springs Fire Department $5,000.00 annual $4,500.00 annual $4,500.00 annual $5,000.00 annual $4,500.00 annual $5,500.00 annual $4,500.00 annual current / requesting $5,000.00 $3,900.00 annual Winter Springs Fire Department currently has 15 paramedics, and the projected incentive increase would cost approximately $24,000.00 to implement, plus benefits and overtime. The additional costs could be funded in the current 2000/2001 Fire Department budget as outlined in the three (3) options below: 1. The recent resignations of one (1) Lieutenant, and two (2) Firefighter Paramedics, had a combined income of $1 04,646 including budgeted merit increases. The replacements for these three (3) open positions will be hired at the minimum starting salary of$25,739, which equals $77,217. Also, one (1) current employee has be promoted to the position of Lieutenant with a five (5) percent increase totaling $1,663.The total budgetary impacts that these three replacement positions create relate to a surplus of$25,766 in the Fire Department budget. Therefore, because of the surplus created by the replacement of tenured personnel the Paramedic Incentive increase could be covered. 2. In fiscal year 2000/2001 the Fire Department was granted three (3) additional Firefighter positions. Eliminating one (1) of those positions would cover the cost of increasing the Paramedic Incentive. A total of$96,388 has been budgeted for the three (3) new Firefighter positions; hiring two (2) instead of three (3) would save approximately $32,129. October 23, 2000 Consent Agenda Item "E" Page 3 3. In fiscal year 2000/2001 the Fire Department was granted three (3) additional Firefighter positions. These positions are budgeted for the entire fiscal year. Not hiring the three (3) Firefighters until March 1,2001 will save approximately $48,194 ofthe $96,388 that has been budgeted for these positions. FUNDING: The Paramedic Incentive increase for the 15 current Paramedics will result in an annual increase in budget expenses of $24,000 plus benefits and overtime. This projected cost will be covered in the current 2000/2001 fiscal year budget with surpluses from vacant positions, and no additional funding is being requested. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Paramedic Incentive be increased from the current $3,900 annual to $5,500 annual effective October 26,2000. Furthermore, it is recommended that Option 3 as outlined in Considerations above are utilized as the funding mechanism for these increases. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE: The changes in the Paramedic Incentive would become effective October 26, 2000. ATT ACHMENTS: N/A COMMISSION ACTION: