Exciting New Contract for San Antonio Firefighters and Paramedics!
San Antonio firefighters and paramedics have reason to celebrate as a new contract promises significant raises over the next three years. However, this popularity comes with a price tag of $27.7 million, leading the City of San Antonio to scramble for cuts to accommodate this increase.
City staff have proposed various strategies, such as cutting funding for VIA Metropolitan Transit and discretionary funds for new environmental projects. They are also considering a steeper fee increase for ambulance rides and better management of fire department overtime.
The recent tentative deal struck between negotiators from the city and the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association includes a generous 21.3% raise over the contract’s lifespan. However, this deal surpasses the initial budget proposal by city staff, prompting the need for adjustments.
In a memo to council members, City Manager Erik Walsh outlined a four-part plan to offset the costs:
VIA Funding (-$7.5M)
City plans to reduce funding for VIA Metropolitan Transit earlier than anticipated, cutting $5 million from the original plan for FY 2025.
REES Discretionary Projects (-$14.8M)
Funding for discretionary projects under the Resiliency, Energy Efficiency, and Sustainability (REES) fund will be reduced in FY 2026 and FY 2027.
EMS Transport Fees (+$3.4M)
Increasing EMS Transport fees to $1,500 in FY 2025 will help generate additional revenue.
Fire Overtime (-$2M)
Efforts to better manage fire department overtime costs could potentially save the city $1 million per year.
Contract Vote
The San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association membership will vote on the contract from Sept. 12-16, followed by the San Antonio City Council’s vote on both the contract and the FY 2025 budget on Sept. 19.
Exciting times lie ahead for San Antonio’s dedicated firefighters and paramedics as they await the final decisions on their new contract!
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