Marion County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday, June 20 to approve a $21.7 million contract that aims to address recruitment and retention issues within Marion County Fire Rescue.
In June of 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Freedom First Budget for State Fiscal Year 2022-2023. This budget provided over $600 million in funding to the Agency for Health Care Administration for the sole purpose of increasing the minimum wage for employees of Medicaid providers to at least $15 an hour.
This change became effective as of October 1, 2022. Marion County and the Fire Union quickly opened negotiations to evaluate the impact this change will have on the pay structure of the fire department.
During the Marion County Board of County Commissioners meeting that was held on June 20, 2023, after months of negotiation, the county’s negotiation team tentatively agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with the fire union. This agreement was approved by the Fire Union earlier this month.
“The firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics are extremely important to our community,” stated Craig Curry, Chairman of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. “Recruitment and retention are a big part of that. We feel that this contract addresses both of those (needs).”
Marion County Fire Chief James Banta added, “This is one of the best contracts that we have been a part of putting together.”
The amended contract raises the starting pay across all positions while implementing a loyalty incentive program, an annual 2% cost of living adjustment, and an annual 2% education incentive. Paramedics will also receive an additional 3% increase on October 1, 2023.
While improving the wages for first responders will help improve the quality of life for all Marion County Fire Rescue firefighters and paramedics, the Professional Firefighters of Marion County believes that there is still work to do in order to improve the future, culture, and mental health of its members in MCFR.
“This isn’t the end,” stated Chairman Curry. “This is a new beginning, and we must continue to work. We will continue to get competition from surrounding counties, and we must continue to improve.”