On A Split Vote, Palo Alto Council Votes To Give Fire Chiefs 15 Percent Raises

PALO ALTO, CA -- Palo Alto's four battalion fire chiefs will receive pay raises of 15.5 percent under a labor deal the City Council approved Monday, March 27.

The new contract gives Fire Department leaders three salary adjustments, with the first being a 6.22 percent increase effective April 16, followed by a 6.28 percent hike upon adoption of the agreement, and three percent jump that becomes effective during the pay period that includes July 1.

As of July, the city's battalion chiefs' annual salaries will average between $169,000 and $182,000, up from $110,000 and $166,000, according to city data.

The raises were opposed by three Council members, Eric Filseth, Lydia Kou and Greg Tanaka, on the grounds that the full amount was excessive. The other six members however, voted in favor.

Before this week, the last pay increase for Palo Alto's battalion chiefs was a four percent raise in July 2009, according to the city.

Image via Palo Alto Fire