TO: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John T. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
FROM: Suzanne M. Boyll, Human Resources Director
DATE: October 14, 2025
SUBJECT: Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement between Indian River County Emergency Services District and Indian River County Firefighters/Paramedics Association, Local 2201, IAFF Effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement between the County and the Indian River County Firefighters/Paramedics Association, Local 2201, IAFF expired on September 30, 2025. On October 7, 2025, the County and the Union tentatively agreed on a successor Agreement and finalized the contract language in that agreement on October 13, 2025. The Tentative Agreement is effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. The proposed Agreement was submitted to the Union membership and ratified by the Union and is presented to the Board of County Commissioners for approval.
Attached for your consideration are the proposed changes that have been agreed upon by the parties. The new Agreement has a duration of 2 years. Highlights of the agreement include:
• FY 25/26 4% general wage increase effective the first full pay period in October 2025.
• FY 26/27 4% general wage increase effective the first full pay period in October 2026.
• Eligible bargaining unit employees will advance to the next step in the pay plan effective the first full pay period of April 2026 and 2027 of each year of the Agreement (approximately 2.8% each year).
• Annual paramedic incentive (paid biweekly) will increase from $6,000 to $6,500 beginning with the first pay period in October 2025 and increase to $7,000 beginning with the first pay period in October 2026.
• Implementation of a three-week Kelly Day reducing the biweekly work week average from 104 hours to 96 hours (from 2704 annual hours to 2496 annual hours) while maintaining the same annual base pay amount. Implementation to occur by March 27, 2026. Nineteen (19) additional Fire-Medics will be hired and trained.
• Increase in the number of Special Operations incentive slots, increase in the incentive amount, and adding a second-tier group of Special Operations incentives.
• Addition of $2 per hour Rescue Sergeant Incentive Pay.
• Addition of $2,500 annual incentive (paid biweekly) for dual certified employees who work a non-shift position.
• Increase in Tuition Assistance from $50,000 to $75,000 to include tuition reimbursement for employees who successfully complete a paramedic program and attain Florida Paramedic certification after ratification of this Agreement in an amount up to $5,000.00 of tuition reimbursement.
The full Agreement incorporates the negotiated changes as well as the remaining articles of the Agreement which remain unchanged and will be executed by the Chairman upon approval by the Board.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
The total anticipated cost of the proposed agreement is estimated to be $10,654,148.57 over the two-year period. Funding for the first year of the Agreement is projected to cost approximately $4,619,102.39. Funding will come from Emergency Services/Fire Rescue/Reserve for Contingency account, number 11412022-099910. Funding for the second year will be included in the FY 26/27 Fire Services budget.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff respectfully recommends approval of the Agreement and requests that the Board of County Commissioners authorize its Chairman to sign the full Agreement.