The Solana Beach City Council voted July 15 to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Solana Beach Firefighters Association that outlines salary ranges through the 2027-28 fiscal year.
The two sides had been negotiating since March 2026, according to a council agenda report.
“This MOU is the result of good faith negotiations regarding wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment under the provisions of the California Meyers-Milias-Brown Act,” according to the MOU, referring to the state law regarding labor relations between governments and employees. “The parties to this MOU hereto have met and conferred in good faith exchanging various proposals in an attempt to reach agreement.”
Terms include a 9.5% salary increase for firefighter and paramedic positions in the first year, the 2026-27 fiscal year, 8% salary increase for fire engineer positions and 9.5% for fire captain. There are 4.5% and 4% increases for all positions in the fiscal years ending in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
The operating budget for the fiscal year ending in 2027 included a 3% increase in appropriations for negotiations with the firefighters association, but included increased costs and additional appropriations were needed “to align the salaries, wages, and benefit expense budget with the SBFA MOU.”
“A total additional appropriation is needed in FY 2026/27 of $72,303 and will be allocated to various salary and benefit accounts as determined by the Finance Department,” according to the council agenda report. “Appropriations for the final two years of the Solana Beach Firefighters Association memorandum of understanding will be brought before the City Council as part of each fiscal year’s budget process.”