KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kissimmee city commissioners are set to ratify an agreement with the firefighters’ union that will change firefighter shifts but also increase costs for homeowners.
In June, the commission approved a new fire assessment fee aimed at attracting and retaining firefighters by funding a shift change to 24 hours on and 72 hours off. The schedule reduces the workweek from 56 hours to 42 hours without cutting pay. The fee is expected to generate more than $6.1 million to support the new schedule. The assessment will begin Oct. 1.
Kissimmee Fire Chief Jim Walls is confident the contract will be ratified during Tuesday night’s city commission meeting, allowing him to begin hiring…