Fire Chief Contract

 

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

The former fire chief  had problems with a small group of people who thought he was not spending enough time at his office, or was taking comp time for overtime worked.  There were also arguments in the board on whether he was on salary or hourly time.  When asked to give up a salary and just work an hourly wage it turned out that he was owed more money than he would have recieved on salary.  Therefore the Fire Board decided to make a contract with the new fire chief, Mike Wahlberg.  It states that he will be a salaried worker.

 

They are still working on the vacation and sick leave time he will be allowed and how much it will accrue.  They are looking at two weeks of vacation, the 10 national and state holidays and 12 days of sick leave.  Howard Pope, board member, said he wasn't opposed to carrying over three weeks accrued leave.

 

Randall Knight said that Wahlberg found the employee policies and procedure handbook and it should be cleaned up.

 

The draft employment contract follows.  It will be voted on March 4 after approval of the county attorney,

Employment Contract effective as of March 04, 2014, by and between Garden City Fire District of 145 W Logan Road, Garden City, Utah, 84028 and Mike Wahlberg ("Mike"), of  2421 South Park Circle, PO Box 326, Garden City, Utah, 84028.

A. Garden City Fire District is engaged in the business of providing fire protection services and Mike will primarily perform the job duties at the following location: 145 W Logan Road, Garden City, Utah.

B. Garden City Fire District has offered the Fire Chief position to Mike and he has accepted based on an equitable salary and benefit plan.

Therefore, the parties agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT. Garden City Fire District shall employ Mike as a Fire Chief to provide Garden City Fire District the following services: duties that are common and normal for a fire chief as specified in the job description. Mike accepts and agrees to such employment, and agrees to be subject to the general supervision, advice and direction of the Garden City Fire District Oversight Board.

2. OWNERSHIP OF SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS. Any social media contacts, including "followers" or "friends," that are acquired through accounts including, but not limited to email addresses, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or other social media networks used or created on behalf of Garden City Fire District are the property of Garden City Fire District.

3. COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEE. As compensation for the services provided by Mike under this Contract, Garden City Fire District will pay an annual salary of $42,500.00 payable by twelve monthly payments on the last day of each month or by-monthly on the fifteenth and last day. Upon termination of this Contract, payments under this paragraph shall cease; provided, however, that Mike shall be entitled to payments for periods or partial periods that occurred prior to the date of termination and for which Mike has not yet been paid, and for any commission earned in accordance with Garden City Fire District's customary procedures, if applicable. Accrued vacation will be paid in accordance with state law and Garden City Fire District's customary procedures. This section of the Contract is included only for accounting and payroll purposes and should not be construed as establishing a minimum or definite term of employment.

4. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. Garden City Fire District will provide reimbursement for "out-of- pocket" expenses incurred in accordance with Garden City Fire District's policies in effect during the contract period.

5. BENEFITS. Mike shall be entitled to employment benefits, including holidays, sick leave, vacation, health insurance allowance, disability insurance and pension plan as provided by Garden City Fire District's policies in effect during the contract period and as specified in the Garden City Fire District Employee Handbook.

6. TERM/TERMINATION. Mike's employment under this Contract shall be for an unspecified term on an "at will" basis. If Mike is in violation of this Contract, Garden City Fire District may terminate employment with a 30 day written notice and with compensation to only  the date of such termination.

7. TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY. Garden City Fire District shall have the option to terminate this Contract, if Mike becomes permanently disabled and is no longer able to perform the essential functions of a fire chief. Garden City Fire District shall exercise this option by giving a 30 day written notice.

8. RETURN OF PROPERTY. Upon termination of this Contract, Mike shall deliver to Garden City Fire District all property which is Garden City Fire District's property or related to Garden City Fire District's business (including keys, records, notes, data, memoranda, models, and equipment) that is in Mike's possession or under Mike's control. Such obligation shall be governed by any separate confidentiality or proprietary rights agreed to and signed by Mike.

9. APPLICABLE LAW. This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah.

EMPLOYER:

Garden City Fire District