The Reno City Council on Wednesday approved a contract between the city and the Reno Firefighters Local 731, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF Local 731). Negotiations resulted in a one-year contract, which includes a 6% salary adjustment effective July 2024, with an additional 3% adjustment in January 2025.
The total 2024-25 cost to the city is just under $3.35 million. The last agreement was a two-year contract that ran from July 2022 through June 2024.
The discussion veered off course after Council member Naomi Duerr commented on the 731’s expansion, which she perceived as a step toward regionalization. Council member Jenny Brekhus spoke at length about the city’s efforts to regionalize firefighting, stating that she had received a request to meet with a lobbyist hired by the city to focus on regionalization. Brekhus also implied that she believed the council was discussing regionalization behind closed doors, without public input.
Duerr responded that she had received the same information Brekhus had from city staff but also heard from the community.
“I’ve only heard the same few sentences you’ve heard, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t heard it out in the community, which I have,” Duerr said. “But my main point is our 731 has expanded their reach to include other firefighters, which is a good step toward regionalization. I think it would be a good idea to have an in-depth conversation about regionalizing fire.”
Interim City Manager Jackie Bryant said a regionalization discussion has been scheduled for the council’s January agenda.
Mayor Hillary Schieve said there haven’t been any discussions yet because the topic hasn’t been scheduled for a public forum. “There isn’t anything going on, anywhere,” she added.
IAFF 731 President Dan Tapia said the relationship between the union and the city is the “best it’s ever been,” contrasting it with the “hostile” relationship 10 years ago. “We very much appreciate the relationships that have been built here. We count on you guys deeply to help us get to where we need to be, so thank you for considering this contract,” he said.
The council unanimously approved the contract.
