Phoenix police officers and firefighters will soon see bigger paychecks after the City Council approved their contracts Tuesday afternoon.

Police Highlights

Over the next two fiscal years, Phoenix police officers will see a 4 percent increase in their base wages. The economic value of ongoing total compensation will also increase 3.5 percent. Among other things, total compensation includes wages, holiday pay, insurance and pensions.

Pilots who fly for the department and officers who are at the top stop, meaning they cannot move up another step as a patrol officer, will see base wages increase 5.9 percent over fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21.

All officers will receive larger checks in December 2019 and December 2020 as payments to cover one percent of total compensation. Individual payments will vary, but the Human Resource Department says average total compensation for police officers is $154,448. That means the average December payment for each year would be $1,544.48 for a total of $3,088.96.

Fire Highlights

Base wages for firefighters, paramedics, engineers and captains at their top steps will increase between 3.36 and 8.53 percent over the next two years. Employees who are not at top step may receive a merit increase in the city’s step system.

The city will provide a payment of $2,049 to all firefighters and fire engineers in December 2019 and a second payment of $2.090 to all firefighters and fire engineers in December 2020 for a total of $4,139.

Employees who are assigned to special units or teams and have completed specific training and education are also eligible for assignment pay and will see increases total 3.9 percent over two years. Engineers and captains currently assigned as paramedics will receive their regular step pay and assignment pay. Their increase for assignment pay will total 3.9 percent over two years.

Enhancement and Productivity Pay

In addition to base wage and total compensation, the city agrees to implement $2,519,000 in productivity enhancement pay for firefighters in fiscal year 2019-20. It’s describes as “In recognition of the significant increase in service delivery and cost savings to the City of Phoenix by the employees of the Phoenix Fire Department”.

Phoenix also budgets $4,032,000 for police productivity enhancement pay which is “in recognition of dedicated public service and overall performance” and available to employees with at least seven years of continuous full-time service. Another $14,226,000 is budgeted for police career enhancement pay for fiscal year 2019-20.

The new fiscal year begins July 1.