FIRE DEPARTMENT BENEFITS 

Deferred Compensation Retirement (In lieu of Social Security) 
6.7 % of the employee’s adjusted gross salary is matched by the City as follows:  5.51% into the deferred compensation retirement plan, and 2.19% for a life and disability insurance package (see below) for a total matched funds of 7.70%.  This is a tax-sheltered program.  The annual limit increases to the lesser of 100% of the includible compensation or $11,000.00

Life Insurance & Disability Package 
The City pays a life insurance package equal to four (4) times the employee’s annual salary with an additional life insurance option available.  The disability package ensures that in the event of a permanent disability, a maximum of 60% of the monthly salary is paid, up to a maximum of $3,000.00 per month.

Firefighters’ Pension Commission
The employee pays 13% of gross salary and the City pays 12% into a pension account.  The amount of income payable upon retirement will depend upon the member’s age and the number of years of service.

Health Insurance 
The City of Big Spring pays the premium of the employee’s insurance and supplements the cost of the dependent insurance.  Dependent coverage is available to the employee at a cost of: 

Child/Children         $175.16/month                         
Spouse                 $283.86/month                         
Family                   $383.00/month

Pharmacy Cards are included in the health package.  

Longevity Pay 
Payment of years of service.  Longevity payments begin after one year of service and are based on the following schedule. 

Years of Service         Annual/Yr.     Amount per Pay Period
1-9                            $72.00                  $2.77 
10-14                         $96.00                  $3.70 
15-19                         $120.00                $4.62 
20 + years                  $144.00                 $5.54

Dental Insurance
Available to the employee at a cost per month of:

Employee        $20.06                 
Spouse           $40.71                  
Children          $45.13                 
Family            $65.82  

Workman’s Compensation
Standard State requirements are met.  If you are injured on the job, you must report the incident to your supervisor immediately.

Firefighters Vacation Accrual                                          

0-9 years            15 days/year                                                              
10-14 years         17 days/year
15-19 years         18 days/year
20-24 years         19 days/year
25 plus years       20 days/year

Firefighters Sick Time Accrual

15 days/year

Funeral Leave
Up to one shift, per calendar year may be granted for funeral leave, if the death is outside the employee’s household.  Up to two shifts of funeral leave may be granted if the deceased lived in the employee’s household or is classified as immediate family (see personnel policies).

Cafeteria Plan
The city provides a program to allow employees to tax shelter day care and certain medical expenses.  This program provides a tax savings increasing the employee’s take home pay. 

Recreation Privileges
Employees and their dependents get free admission to Moss Lake with presentation of the employee's ID card. 

City employees also receive reduced fees at the Comanche Trail Golf Course.  Fees are as follows:

Golf Course:     $130.00 annually per employee
Green Fees:     $5.42 per pay period
Trail Fees:       $8.34 per pay period
Shed Fees:      $15.00 per pay period.

Tuition Reimbursement Program
The City will reimburse employees for college tuition and book fees.  Employees must complete the six month probationary period to be eligible for the Tuition Reimbursement program.  Reimbursement amounts vary based on grades. 

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