A firefighters’ contract that divided Auburn City Council in September returns for another vote tonight, with annual raises, staffing guarantees and employee health insurance contributions again before council.
The Thursday, Nov. 12, meeting begins at 5 p.m. at Memorial City Hall, 24 South St. Council will also consider a three-year agreement with city ambulance employees, maintenance contracts and a vehicle-service partnership with Cayuga Community College.
A Casey Park pool discussion is scheduled, and a cybersecurity agreement postponed last week remains on the tabled-items list.
Firefighter contract returns after September rejection
Mayor James Giannettino Jr. requested reconsideration of the agreement with Auburn Professional Firefighters Local 1446, according to City Manager Jenny Haines, who recommends approval.
The union has ratified the proposed contract. It would run retroactively from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with 3% wage increases in each year.
The proposal would establish a contractual minimum of 65 firefighters, lieutenants and captains, including 62 line positions and three day-staff positions. Overtime call-ins would be required when staffing falls below 12, subject to the agreement’s provisions.
During the September debate over the contract, Haines said those terms would reduce the contractual staffing level from 71 to 65 and minimum staffing per shift from 14 to 12.
Council rejected the agreement 3-2. Giannettino and Councilors Craig Diego and Rhoda Overstreet-Wilson voted against it. Terry Cuddy and Christina Calarco supported it.
The disagreement centered on whether savings from staffing and insurance changes justified the raises and other contract costs. Diego questioned the wage increases and several compensation provisions, while Cuddy argued the staffing concessions represented meaningful progress after months of bargaining.
Under the agreement now before council, employees’ share of health insurance premiums would rise to 16.25% effective July 2026, 17.5% in July 2027 and 18.75% in July 2028.
Haines said savings would come from reduced staffing requirements, higher employee insurance contributions and removal of a preferred-provider-plan incentive.
The contract would also protect the specified positions from being abolished or left vacant because of economic or budget constraints. Hiring could be delayed to coincide with available firefighter training programs.
Ambulance agreement includes 2% annual raises
Council will separately consider an agreement with the Professional Emergency Medical Technicians of Auburn City Ambulance, Local 5379.
That contract would also run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. It includes 2% annual wage increases and stipends for certain responsibilities and certifications.
Ambulance employees would contribute 25% of health insurance premiums, with the city paying 75%. The union has ratified the agreement, and Haines recommends approval.
The votes come a week after city officials warned that rising insurance and electricity costs could undermine Auburn’s effort to rebuild reserves.
Preliminary year-end figures put available general fund reserves at approximately $2.1 million, below the city’s required minimum. The current budget was designed to replenish savings, but higher expenses could reduce that contribution.
Comptroller Mary Beth Leeson said last week that staff would review spending, salary savings and revenue trends before recommending adjustments. A clearer health insurance estimate is expected after open enrollment ends in December.
Cybersecurity agreement awaits action
The proposed state cybersecurity agreement returns on the tabled-items list after council postponed it Nov. 5.
It would provide state-supported assessment and monitoring of Auburn’s publicly accessible technology systems at no cost for the service. The city would share cybersecurity information generated through the program with the New York Security Operations Center.
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The initial agreement would last three years, with potential annual renewals.
Diego requested more time last week to review the contract and obtain answers from city staff. Council unanimously agreed to postpone the resolution.
A discussion about the Casey Park pool is also scheduled during the presentation portion of tonight’s meeting. The agenda does not identify a specific project or funding request for a vote.
Maintenance contracts and college partnership up for approval
Three proposed annual contracts would cover routine maintenance, emergency repairs and requested improvements to city facilities and infrastructure:
- Knapp Electric of Auburn would handle electrical work.
- Emcor Services Betlem of Rochester would service heating, cooling and geothermal systems.
- Siracusa Mechanical of Auburn would handle plumbing work.
City staff identified each company as the lowest responsible bidder. The contracts would run from Nov. 13, 2026, through Nov. 12, 2027, with an option for a one-year extension.
Another agreement would allow Auburn’s Department of Public Works to maintain Cayuga Community College’s vehicle fleet. The college would reimburse actual staff wages and benefits, along with parts and materials at acquisition cost.
Council will also consider accepting $4,781.36 in insurance proceeds for damage to a police vehicle. The department would pay the deductible from its vehicle maintenance budget.
Residents may address council during public comment, subject to a three-minute limit. The meeting will be streamed through the city’s Channel-A page.
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