Discussiorr and possible action on Cornpensation adjustments and Compensation plan. Chief Gill reported som(3 recent key factors: o I salary survey ,cf the surrounding area indicates that Bastrop County ESD2 has the lowest starting pay for firefighters in

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Discussiorr and possible action on Cornpensation adjustments and Compensation plan. Chief Gill reported som(3 recent key factors: o I salary survey ,cf the surrounding area indicates that Bastrop County ESD2 has the lowest starting pay for firefighters in the area. o We received no rapplicants for our recruitrLng advertisements run for the last couple months. o Informal staff dirscussion irrdicate a number of current firefighters are looking for employment elsewhere, with pay being one of the issues. o Emergency personnel, even including lavr enforcement, are in short supply nationwide as well as locally. (his is not.iust a Bastrop problem). Chief Gill proposed several alternatives to shift funds in the recently approved budget. With the employment market in its currr3ot state, even with these changes we cannot guarantee that we wil.l get qualified carrdidates but it is our best altemative at this time. Doug llelsay moved that we: o Increase FirefighLter payroll expenses by $1120,000 in accordance with the tentative Compensation Plan work, but specifically excluding Longevity and Incentive factors. . Delay the purchaLse of the river rescue boat, as other entities (LCRA, TpW) have river craft that can be used if needed; and a bozLt's no good if you don't have people to put in it. o Delay hiring of Ilattalion Chiefs and CornLmunity Risk Reduction officer and related expenses enough to compensate for the slLift in payroll. ' Bring these itemrs back into the budget as conditions and available funds allow. Tomm;r Chalmers seconded The motion passed.

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 4.9/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.