Fire board renews chief contract at reduced rate
Citing budgetary reasons and a result of adverse financial impacts, the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved to renew the upcoming contract of Chief Mike Becker at a reduction of salary at its monthly meeting at Town Hall Tuesday, March 15. Becker said he signed that employee agreement Wednesday, March 16, at noon.
Recently, Becker had voluntarily agreed to have his contract compensated from roughly $146,000 to the rate of $136,000 after negotiations with Commissioner David Brower, the fire board’s secretary/treasurer.
As part of those talks, Brower was tasked to negotiate a new employment contract with Becker before the April 1 deadline. The three-year contract period begins Nov. 17, 2011, and expires Nov. 17, 2014.
The new contract calls for a salary of $130,000 for the first year to be paid on a biweekly basis in equal amounts. After those 12 months, the chief’s salary will be further reduced to $125,000 – roughly a $21,000 cut in annual pay or more than $403 per week from his last contract.
“I have reduced my own wages two years in a row on my own merits,” said Becker, when reached by phone. “The obvious financial impacts are very clear since 2008. When I started negotiating with the district, I understood that I needed to reduce (my wages) even more.”
Becker was appointed as acting chief in 2005, and officially became fire chief in 2006. This is the third contract he has signed.
“It is appropriate for the organization that I set the example,” he said. “I am very happy that I have that agreement. I think it will set the tone with union negotiations.”
Beach Fire officials (union and administration) are currently going through negotiations with its collective bargaining agreement.
Under additional terms of the new contract, Becker will have reduced hours of personal paid leave; his holiday schedule will be cut to the proposed district policy; and only three commissioners (instead of four commissioners in the past contract) can approve a right to terminate him by way of vote. However, an investigation process is still needed to finalize a termination.
“Under this contract, the district is responsible to show what that “for cause” reason is through an investigation process,” said FMB Fire Board Attorney Richard Pringle. “Essentially, it is not a matter where the board can come in at a board meeting and say that three (members) have determined that the chief’s job performance is unsatisfactory and therefore terminate him on a “for cause” termination.”
Becker underwent two informal investigations within a 13-month span in the past two years.
“I’m comfortable with what I am doing despite the investigations,” said Becker. “I know what I am doing is right, and I am willing to stand up to it.”
Workshop date and place changed
The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Board of Commissioners approved to change its monthly workshop date and location.
The fire board will meet for workshops at Town Hall on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. The next workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5.
Decision-making does not occur at workshops, thus attendance at those sessions is not mandatory and a quorum is not required. At workshops, fire board members assemble to discuss information without voting on matters.
Awards and promotions
Three members of the FMB Fire Department and one civilian received awards at the monthly meeting. Paul Russell was named Fire fighter of the Year; Joe DeVito, who was absent from the meeting, was named Paramedic of the Year; and Randy Kraus was named Officer of the Year at the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, March 15.
Amy Jane Mellott was named Civilian of the Year for her work with Spirit of the Holidays.
Kraus and Ronald Martin were sworn in as lieutenants at the meeting as well. The two were promoted after testing in August 2010.
Medical director contract
The Board of Fire Commissioners will ask its medical director to take a cut in pay. Dr. Joseph Lemons will be offered a new contract (when it comes up in May) for $32,000, an $8,000 reduction from his current $40,000 contract. That was passed by a slim 3-2 count.
Procurements
The fire board unanimously approved to purchase four Infusomat IV pumps for $599. The pumps are needed for the district ambulances.
The commissioners did not agree to purchase surveillance equipment for its four buildings (three stations and one administrative building) at this time. They decided to table that request to an upcoming workshop to establish a need. There have been reports that more than $10,000 in fixed assets has become unaccountable and screws have been found in the tires of employee vehicles.
MDA fundraising
Union representative Troy Mesick reported that fire fighters raised roughly $4,000 through their boot collection on the Beach during Shrimp Festival weekend. The money is for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Fire board renews chief contract at reduced rate
Citing budgetary reasons and a result of adverse financial impacts, the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved to renew the upcoming contract of Chief Mike Becker at a reduction of salary at its monthly meeting at Town Hall Tuesday evening. Becker said he signed that employee agreement Wednesday at noon.
Recently, Becker had voluntarily agreed to have his contract compensated from roughly $146,000 to the rate of $136,000 after negotiations with Commissioner David Brower, the fire board’s secretary/treasurer.
As part of those talks, Brower was tasked to negotiate a new employment contract with Becker before the April 1 deadline. The three-year contract period begins Nov. 17, 2011, and expires Nov. 17, 2014.
The new contract calls for a salary of $130,000 for the first year to be paid on a biweekly basis in equal amounts. After those 12 months, the chief’s salary will be further reduced to $125,000 – roughly a $21,000 cut in annual pay or more than $403 per week from his last contract.
“I have reduced my own wages two years in a row on my own merits,” said Becker, when reached by phone. “The obvious financial impacts are very clear since 2008. When I started negotiating with the district, I understood that I needed to reduce (my wages) even more.”
Becker was appointed as acting chief in 2005, and officially became fire chief in 2006. This is the third contract he has signed.
“It is appropriate for the organization that I set the example,” he said. “I am very happy that I have that agreement. I think it will set the tone with union negotiations.”
Beach Fire officials (union and administration) are currently going through negotiations with its collective bargaining agreement.
Under additional terms of the new contract, Becker will have reduced hours of personal paid leave; his holiday schedule will be cut to the proposed district policy; and only three commissioners (instead of four commissioners in the past contract) can approve a right to terminate him by way of vote. However, an investigation process is still needed to finalize a termination.
“Under this contract, the district is responsible to show what that “for cause” reason is through an investigation process,” said FMB Fire Board Attorney Richard Pringle. “Essentially, it is not a matter where the board can come in at a board meeting and say that three (members) have determined that the chief’s job performance is unsatisfactory and therefore terminate him on a “for cause” termination.”
Becker underwent two informal investigations within a 13-month span in the past two years.
“I’m comfortable with what I am doing despite the investigations,” said Becker. “I know what I am doing is right, and I am willing to stand up to it.”