timely.

falling into a two week pay cycle.

“This gives you an idea of fluctuations in pay because of the new system,” said Catt. “Firefighters will have to adjust about how their pay comes in. While it may be disturbing at first but they will have to adjust to how their income comes in, it all balances at the end of the year.”

“It’s hard to adapt to changes when it comes to your money,” replied Gately. “This hurts our hourly people. I don’t know what is going to happen (with employee retention).

Memphis pays every two weeks but they are on a seven-day cycle.”

“I just don’t want to lose any of them,” said Councilwoman Helen Harris, who also serves on the Fire Commission.

After discussions, Catt tasked the Fire Department to issue a proposal to structure a seven-day cycle within the new bi-weekly pay schedule based on the Fair Labor Standards Act provisions and other department policies similar to the Memphis Fire Department.

With a full 2016 budget still unresolved and returning to City Council on this Thursday, the issue is expected to be included in talks, which also include previously-discussed citywide benchmark raises. The quick turnaround made any potential changes to the WMFD work or pay schedule

timely.

“Work it up and get in.

You have seven days to have it to me,” Catt noted. “This is obviously something we need to look at and bring forward.”