Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the Madison Fire Department (MFD) to double fill 20 firefighter positions, effective January 5, 2025. The double fill authorization will allow MFD to run an academy that can sufficiently absorb up to 20 retirements or resignations in 2025 in order to maintain full staffing in 2025 and instituting a better aligned graduate-retirement cycle. The 2025 adopted operating budget includes enough budget authority for a firefighter recruit class of 24 recruits plus additional recruits for commissioned positions vacant at the time the class begins. Approval of the 20 double fill positions in 2025 will bring regular salaries and overtime more in line with the adopted budget. The double fills ensure MFD will average 5.25 FTE below minimum staffing each day, which will keep minimum staffing overtime within the Fire Department’s total overtime budget of $3.3 million. The 20 double fill positions will also likely result in MFD ending fiscal year 2025 fully staffed, in turn reducing minimum staffing overtime in 2026. Budgeted salary savings will be realized by natural attrition and turnover.
Title
Authorizing the double fill of firefighter positions (Local 311) in the City of Madison Fire Department in order to run a recruit academy and maintain full staffing following anticipated retirements in 2025.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Fire Department (MFD) currently has 393 authorized full-time-equivalent positions in Local 311, nine (9) of which are currently vacant;
WHEREAS, MFD is running a recruit academy from January 5, 2025 through June 7, 2025;
WHEREAS, MFD is anticipating 15 retirements in 2025 with some of those retirements effective the same week the academy starts and the rest likely effective by the time those recruits graduate and are placed in the field;
WHEREAS, Local 311 personnel do not need to provide a binding retirement date, making it challenging for MFD to plan the timing and size of academies in order ...
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