Cortland and Lordstown give workers raises | News, Sports, Jobs

At their final regular council meetings of the year, Cortland and Lordstown officials approved employee salary increases beginning in 2025.

The Cortland council gave final reading to increase pay for part-time firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians. The order states that in the first pay cycle in 2025, the salary for a part-time firefighter/EMT Basic is $18 per hour; part-time firefighter/paramedic: $20 per hour; and a part-time fire inspector costs $20 an hour.

In 2026, base pay for part-time firefighters/EMTs increases to $19 per hour; part-time firefighter/paramedic position increases to $21 per hour; and the salary of a part-time fire inspector increases to $21 an hour.

In 2027, wages for all three positions will increase by another $1 per hour.

The contract also states that one part-time firefighter/EMT and one part-time firefighter/EMT will be paid double for working vacations.

Fire Chief David Rea previously said he wants the salary adjustments to be in place before the end of the year. He said he hopes the salary adjustments will help attract more employees and retain current staff.

In Lordstown, the council gave a final reading of raises for part-time police dispatchers and other positions in the police and fire departments effective Jan. 1.

Under the agreement, part-time dispatchers will receive $15.86 per hour in 2025, $16.34 in 2026 and $16.83 in 2027.

Part-time dispatchers who work 150 hours in 2025 will receive a lump sum payment of $350 in January 2026, with lump sum payments of $350 in January 2027 and January 2028 for working 150 hours in previous years.

The new agreement takes effect on January 1 and also includes Emancipation Day, or June 19, as a public holiday.

For full-time dispatchers, for employees on step 1 of the pay scale, the salary for 2025 is $23.09 per hour, step 2 is $23.78, step 3 is $24.49 per hour and step 4 is $25.22. Employees in 2026 will be paid for Stage 1 at $23.78 per hour, Stage 2 at $24.49 per hour, Stage 3 at $25.22 per hour and step 4 at $25.97. Employees in 2027 will be paid for Stage 1 at $24.49 per hour, Stage 2 at $25.22 per hour, Stage 3 at $25.97 per hour and stage 4 at $26.74 per hour.

Employees will also receive a lump sum of $350 each year.

For full-time fire captains, paramedics and full-time firefighters, there will be varying increases depending on the grade the employee is in.

For full-time captains, at Tier 1, the annual salary will be $61,743 in 2025, $63,596 in 2026, and $65,504 in 2027. At Tier 4, the annual salary will be 65 $964 in 2025, $67,943 in 2026 and 69 $981 in 2027.

For a full-time EMT/Firefighter at Tier 1, the annual salary will be $60,565 in 2025, $62,382 in 2026, and $64,254 in 2027. At Tier 4, the annual salary will be $64,786 in 2025, $66,729 in 2026 and 68 $731 in 2027.

The fixing of the salary for the position of mechanic in the maintenance department was also approved. The mechanic will be paid $26.78 per hour in 2025, $27.58 per hour in 2026 and $28.41 per hour in 2027.

For mechanic/worker/maintenance operator, the salary is $23.69 per hour in 2025, $24.40 per hour in 2026 and $25.13 per hour in 2027.