Colorado Springs police and firefighters would get a raise, but the whole workforce would have to shoulder more healthcare costs. Those are among the proposals Mayor Steve Bach’s administration presented today to City Council. KRCC’s Liz Ruskin reports.
The proposed changes come out of a study that found public safety officers are underpaid by some 5-7 percent. It also suggests the city may be paying above-market for its civilian workers. Chief of staff Laura Neumann says the city is seeking more research.
"So civilians will not have any market adjustments until the audit comes back, however we are going to implement merit pay for those who are eligible, which is about a third of our civilian staff at this time."
Under the administration’s plan, annual pay for a senior firefighter would increase nearly $5000 to $66,000. The changes are expected to cost more than $3 million this year. But the administration hopes to save $2 million next year by switching the entire workforce to a high-deductible insurance plan. The administration is submitting its proposal to council for approval.
