Las Vegas City Commission Minutes, November 20, 1957 to December 2, 1959, lvc000011-166

The first years' cost of adopting this schedule is approximately $8,000 which would mean that to place the Fire personnel in this schedule would cost approximately $8,000 above that which was budgeted for the year 1958.59. In the second and third year, or such time as personnel might reach their maximum of this schedule, the total possible annual cost of this schedule above the survey schedule would be approximately $28,692.00. Indiscussion with the Fire Department personnel, they made an additional request that Engineer, Captain and Battalion Chief positions be placed on higher schedules so that the Fire Department schedules would be as follows: Position Schedule Chief 42 Asst. Chief 36 Battalion Chief 34 Captain 32 Engineer 29 Fireman 27 The first years' cost of making this second adjustment which would change engineers, captains and battalion chiefs, would be an additional $2400.00. The additional cost in two or three years, or when all personnel might reach the top of their schedule would be approximately $20,280.00 per year. Mr. Kennedy continued that in trying to figure the problem of which schedule should be used and what to compare them to, one way would be: Chief to Chief, Assistant Chief to Assistant Chief, Patrolman to Fireman; this is not the great problem. The Fire Engineer has no equal in the Police Department. You compare them, Fire Captain to Police Sergeant, Battalion Chief to Lieutenant, with the Fire Engineer coming up one step above the Fireman. The Firemen's Benefits Association brought up the question of the Battalion Chief compared to a Captain in the Police Department, when you appoint one, and leaving the comparison to the Police Sergeant and the Fire Engineer. But then you reach a point of creating new positions which you do not need, which you will have to deal with when the time comes for creating those positions. Mayor Baker asked the City Manager what his recommendation was. Mr. Kennedy answered the Mayor by saying that he would like to finish out before he made any recommendation. The Mayor asked if the City Manager's recommendation was within the personnel, and if it can be taken care of as projected? Mr. Kennedy answered yes. Mayor Baker then asked if the time and call in these two departments was commensurate. City Manager Kennedy stated that it is hard to try to compare back and forth since they are two different functions. He stated that the time off and call to duty along with vacations are about the same; but it would have to be determined whether to stop outside work in the Fire Department. Commissioner Fountain asked if outside work wasn't also permitted in the Police Department. Police Chief Sheffer answered that outside work was permitted only on vacations or in case of emergency, and then only permitted four hours a day. Mayor Baker and Commissioner Fountain again asked the City Manager for his recommendation. City Manager Kennedy stated that if the Commission has conceded to bring the Police and Fire Departments up to the same schedule, then his recommendation was as follows: 27-27-30-33-36-42. Commissioner Bunker then stated that this makes them lineup this way: Patrolman 27 Fireman - 0 - 28 Fire Engineer Police Sergeant 30 Captain Lieutenant 33 Battalion Chief Asst. Chief 36 Asst. Chief Chief 42 Chief Captain Wimberly of the Fire Department was present at this time and stated that two years ago the Police and Fire Departments were on the same schedule; Fireman to Patrolman; Engineer to Sgt; Captain to Lts; and Assistant Chiefs and Chiefs. Commissioner Bunker stated that he felt this should have been studied long before this by the Commission. That it should have been gone into entirely before making a decision; it is a complex problem, and the whole plan should be studied, along with several other things the City needs to do. Commissioner Bunker continued that there appears to be the possibility of a tie vote, and he felt the Commission should meet between now and the first of July and make a decision. Commissioner Sharp agreed there should be a meeting. Commissioner Bunker further stated that this matter should be studied so the members of the Commission would be familiar with it. Mayor Baker stated that it was his opinion that the recommendation of the City Manager should be adopted. Commissioner Bunker indicated that he was not ready to vote. Mayor Baker stated there might have to be a compromise and the two positions in question adjusted since other employees are being held up if the Commission is not ready to adopt the Pay Plan. 6-18-58