Firefighters working for the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) are slated to receive a pay raise totaling 24.6% over the next five years, following the OCFA board's approval of a new contract. This decision, made after the board's two-month vacation, has raised questions among some board members regarding the financial impact on the 23 member cities.
Staff from the fire authority indicated that the new pay increases will be covered by funds from its member cities. A staff report noted, "OCFA salary cost increases result in corresponding increases to cash contract city charges," with a June report projecting a nearly 25% increase in bills for contract cities over the next five years to offset the raises. Not all OCFA member cities will be directly affected by these contract charges; some are funded through property taxes via the structural fire fund.
The contract, an extensive document exceeding 200 pages, details annual raises, employee benefits, and other provisions between the OC Fire Authority and the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association. Union members will see a 4.5% raise annually for five years, accumulating to a 24.6% increase with compound interest. The total cost for these raises is estimated at $313 million over the next five years, funded by the OCFA's member cities.
Concerns are emerging among city officials who anticipate that these increased costs will strain municipal general funds already under pressure. This comes as several cities across Orange County are grappling with financial challenges, with some even seeking voter approval for various tax increases in November.
Beyond salary, the contract also includes fully paid bereavement leave for up to 20 days and nearly full funding for retirement plans. Pregnancy and parenthood leave will be paid for the initial 24 hours, with the remainder of the period being unpaid.
Chris Hamm, president of the OC Professional Firefighters Association, advocated for the contract's ratification, stating, "It’s time that we start prioritizing our people over property." He also highlighted that the agreement fully funds retiree healthcare and nearly 99% of retirement liabilities. OCFA Deputy Chief Robert Cortez noted that the board had previously approved the economic framework in June, with the recent September vote finalizing the contract's language. Cortez added that the proposed contract provides "long-term labor stability" and codifies operational frameworks.
The five-year contract is scheduled to commence on March 19, 2027, and conclude on March 11, 2032.
While most board members supported the new agreement, Directors Mark Tettemer and Robert Frackelton voiced concerns about the limited time provided to review the lengthy document and the financial implications for contract cities. Tettemer, also a Lake Forest council member, voted against the contract, expressing discomfort with its five-year term and noting that the OCFA's budget might not fully reflect the organization's capital demands. He stated, "I’m concerned about the convergence of a number of things on this budget for this organization and what it may mean in the long run."
Frackelton, a Villa Park city councilman, abstained from the vote, citing insufficient time to read the over 200-page document provided less than a week before the vote. His motion to postpone the vote until the November meeting failed. He suggested that while all Orange County cities benefit from OCFA's recruitment and retention efforts, contract cities would likely experience steady increases to share the burden of higher costs.
Contract cities are already preparing for the increased charges. Stanton, one of the county’s smaller cities, expects to cover the rising costs through its general fund. City Manager Hannah Shin-Heydorn noted that these costs will place significant pressure on the city's budget, requiring careful management. She explained that while the city maintains prudent reserves as a safeguard, its goal is to maintain structurally balanced ongoing operations rather than relying on reserves for recurring expenses.
Campaign finance disclosures reveal that many board members who approved the raise received funding from the firefighters union. Buena Park Mayor and OCFA board member Connor Traut received substantial support, with the union spending over $380,000 on ads for his county supervisor campaign. Traut asserted that public safety is a "necessity" and indicated that Buena Park's new sales tax measure could help cover increased costs. Supervisor Katrina Foley, who missed the final vote but approved an outline of the deal in June, received nearly $200,000 for her reelection campaign. The union also made direct donations to several city council members on the board, including Cypress Councilman David Burke, Seal Beach Councilwoman Lisa Landau, Irvine Councilwoman Betty Martinez-Franco, Aliso Viejo Councilman Mike Munzing, and San Clemente Councilman Victor Cabral, all of whom voted in favor of the new contract. Additionally, the union contributed $160,000 to the Democratic Party of Orange County and $99,000 to the Republican Party of Orange County this year.
