City Council approves firefighter raises, transportation deal with MoWest
TaMya Bracy
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph City Council bid farewell to a long-time employee and approved a few bills during its meeting Tuesday evening.
The meeting started with a farewell to the City Clerk, Paula Heyde. She has served the City of St. Joseph for over 40 years. Heyde also received the Key to the City Award.
On Tuesday’s agenda, council members voted on an ordinance to authorize an agreement with Missouri Western State University to provide free transportation on St Joseph Transit buses to all students and employees.
In 2013, the City and MoWest previously entered into an open-access agreement to provide transportation to students and employees of MoWest, without having to pay a fare for each ride. During COVID, ridership dropped, as well as prices. As a result, the program was discontinued.
City Council approved a salary increase for the St. Joseph Fire Department.
The City approved a contract with the International Association of Firefighters, Local #77, to adjust fire department budgets to set aside $200,000 for firefighter pay raises and related benefits required by the contract.
The City and union have agreed to terms extending the contract through June 30, 2028.
All department employees are projected to get a 4% increase in pay, retroactive to July 1, 2025, for fiscal year 2026. Employees will also see a 3% increase in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
SJFD Fire Chief Ivan Klippenstein said the department is really excited to have a new contract and a pay increase.
“Our firefighters work hard, and the city certainly recognizes that. There doing what they can to get that increase. We’re just glad and thankful we’re here, he said.
Klippenstein said he has high hopes that the pay increase will improve staffing and retention.
“People from outside come to want to work here, and they can see a continual support from the City that their firefighters will be cared for the best they can,” he said.
The council also approved an ordinance allocating $61,590 to MVP Painting LLC, which beat out Mongan Painting LLC’s $63,200 bid.
MVP will perform the removal and replacement of all expansion joints surrounding the pool, as well as complete surface preparation and repaint the pool interior.
All work will be conducted in accordance with industry standards, applicable codes and manufacturer specifications.
The next city council meeting will take place on Monday, Feb. 2.