Longboat Key fire contract ratified

The Longboat Key Town Commission officially ratified a new three-year contract with the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Union Monday night at its regular meeting that freezes the current firefighter pension plan and caps the town’s financial responsibilities moving forward.

The town and its firefighters reached an agreement in December to freeze the firefighters’ current pension plan and enroll current and future firefighters in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) plan.

The town and firefighters will split required FRS contributions 50/50, with the town’s maximum contribution capped at 13%, according to the agreement.

The town begins contract negotiations with the Longboat Key Police Department Union for a new three-year contract today. Town staff is expected to offer the same type of proposal to police officers in order to freeze the current pension plan at the request of the commission.

Also at the meeting, the commission approved an ordinance on second reading tonight that modifies the town’s 250-tourism unit allocation and allows the Longboat Key Beachfront Hilton renovation-and-expansion project to be reviewed by town staff.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].