In contract with fire, Ventura gives raises, lump sum payout and significant health care bumps

Aug. 06--The Ventura City Council on Monday approved contracts with its fire unions that include raises, a lump-sum payout and significant jumps in health contributions.

City officials said the medical increases are to help employees combat skyrocketing insurance premiums in recent years.

The agreement, effective the next full pay period, gives members of the fire union raises of 2.25 percent and a one-time payout of $1,500. In July 2017, they will get another 2.25 percent raise.

The contract runs through Dec. 31, 2018.

They will receive a boost in medical and dental insurance contributions, from $191 per month for a family to $1,006 per month for a family in the final year of the contract -- a 427 percent increase.

On top of that, they'll receive an "optional benefit" of $513 monthly that can be spent on health-related costs or, if none come up, taken as a cash payout.

Members of management get raises of 2.5 percent, also effective the next full pay period, and a one-time payout of $1,500. In July 2017, they'll get another 2.5 percent raise.

The city's contributions to the group's medical and dental insurance costs will increase from $194 to $930 monthly -- a 379 percent increase.

Their "optional benefit" is $510 per month.

David Grau, of the Ventura County Taxpayers Association, asked why the lump sums seemed to be a new addition to all city contracts. Police and members of the service unions also received bonuses ($1,500 for police, $800 for service unions) when their contracts were approved in May.

In the firefighter's last contract, the lump sum was $500.

Grau said the money could instead be used to hire new police officers to help lower the high per capita crime rate, reduce graffiti and other problems.

"We've got a lot of problems in the city and instead we're handing out money in the form of bonuses," he said.

City Manager Mark Watkins said the lump-sum payouts represent a portion of what fire union members would have received in the time since the last contract expired.

The last contract expired June 30. The union last received a 1.5 percent raise in December.

The union also felt it was fair to get what the other bargaining units received, Watkins said.

Grau also questioned the significant increase in health costs.

"That's a 427 percent increase," he said, referring to non-management. "That's an increase that is just astonishing in negotiations."

Grau asked how the city could expect residents to support a sales tax when it's making those types of concessions in the contract. "None of that makes sense to me."

Residents will be voting on a half-cent sales increase in November.

Watkins noted the health care contributions were not taxable income and the city did not offer post-retiree health benefits.

Council member Neal Andrews, who had before this year consistently voted against public safety contracts, voted yes in a 6-0 vote. Council member Christy Weir was absent.

He said the salaries were "more in line with what they should be," he said. "The raises are more reasonable. Now they're paying into their (retirement) program."

Between the start of the last contract in November 2014 and when this contract expires, a firefighter earning $130,000 would see pay climb to roughly more than $145,500. They would have received $2,000 on top of that in two, one-time payments.

According to the state controller's office, the average pay for a non-trainee in 2015 was $133,000 with benefits of $46,000, for a total package of $179,000. The average pay for management, excluding the fire chief, who is not part of the union, was $185,000 and benefits were $71,000 for a total package of $256,000.

___

(c)2016 Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.)

Visit Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) at www.vcstar.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.