Grants Pass Firefighters will receive a raise and three local organizations will receive $5,000 dollar grants to promote tourism.
City Firefighters will get a raise on January first of next year after the City Council passed a resolution to enter a salary adjustment with the local Union.
The current labor contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 3564 permitted a wage opener for wages for January 1st. Management entered negotiations that began on May 7th and, following two meetings, the City and the Union reached a tentative agreement for a wage increase for all positions of 4%.
The cost for fiscal year 2026 as compared to the prior year’s salary is approximately $107,251 including all benefits and taxes. This number does not include the six additional positions the Council recently authorized on September 3rd. The Fire/Rescue budget will be closely monitored for the remainder of the year.
The Council then approved a resolution awarding Lodging Tax funds to three grant applicants from the fall 2025 cycle of the Tourism Promotion Grant Program for tourism promotion.
The three recipients, including Latitude Wine Tours, Grants Pass Downs and the Rogue Gateway Rotary Foundation, will each receive $5,000. This funding is for the fall 2025 cycle leaving $20,000 remaining for the spring 2026 cycle. The funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis.
The Council passed the consent calendar that contained a resolution allowing the City Manager to enter into a contract for the 2021 Safe Routes to School. The project will install sidewalk and pedestrian infrastructure in neighborhoods near Lincoln Elementary School to create a safer environment for children to walk or bike to school.
The lowest bidder is Freedom Builders, LLC at $474,751, that was well below the Engineers original estimate.
