City Looks at Incentives for Fire Department Retirements

The city might offer early retirement options for up to five firefighters, saving as much as $450,000 a year in salary and benefit costs if all five accept the incentive. The issue is on the Pinole City Council's agenda for Tuesday night.

With the recently announced in the Pinole Valley, staffing needs for the fire department have been reduced. The offer comes in the form of granting two years of extra service for the purpose of calculating retirement benefits for any of the eligible firefighters. The pensions are paid through an agreement with CALPERS, the organization that handles pension payments for California sate and municipal employees

If all five — two captains, two engineers and one firefighter/paramedic — choose retirement, the city would pay about $16,5000 extra per year in additional retirement benefits for its share of the pensions. The savings would be in the city's general fund, not its redevelopment agency budget.

The retirements would take place by July 1, which is the beginning of the next fiscal year. Late last year the council agreed to similar offers for non-public safety employees.

In March the council agreed to close the Valley station to save budget costs. The station had been closed 10 days per month since July 2010 for the same reason.

Tuesday's meeting begins with a closed session at 5;30 p.m., followed by an open session at about 7 p.m., at City Hall, 2131 Pear St.