ENCINITAS — The city of Encinitas has reached a four-year agreement establishing wages and benefits with the local firefighters’ union.
The Encinitas City Council unanimously voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Encinitas Firefighter’s Association that will run from Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2029.
The agreement includes a 5% increase in base pay in 2026, followed by 4.5% in 2027 and 4% in each of the remaining years of the deal, according to city documents. The city estimates the changes in base costs will total an additional $3 million over the life of the contract.
The contract follows previous reporting by The Coast News that the Encinitas Fire Department plans to withdraw from a cooperative fire management services agreement with the departments in Solana Beach and Del Mar to establish itself as an independent fire agency.
Judy von Kalinowski, the city’s human resources director, said negotiations with the Encinitas fire union “couldn’t have been more of a pleasure” and that the length of the agreement provides stability for both firefighters and the community.
Donald Butz, a captain with the Encinitas Fire Department and a member of the EFFA, echoed von Kalinowski’s message.
“This contract reflects not only a commitment to our firefighters, but also a shared investment in the long-term strength and stability of public safety in our city,” Butz said during public comment.
Councilmember Marco San Antonio congratulated the EFFA, joking that they “drive a hard bargain.”
“The service you guys provide is top-notch,” San Antonio said to the firefighters in the room.
Councilmember Joy Lyndes said the Encinitas Fire Department provides “a wonderful example of a high-quality team that really serves our community well and improves our safety and quality of life.”
Councilmember Luke Shaffer said the most important things a city provides are safety, security, infrastructure, mobility, and circulation, with community building built on that foundation.
Shaffer said the contract reflected a commitment to providing a safe place for residents.
“A community is not built on stuff,” he said. “It’s built on people and so if we’re going to put our money where our mouth is — and we’ve done that this whole year — I think this is the first real change to be making … I’m so proud for the group up here to be able to get there.”
Mayor Bruce Ehlers built on Shaffer’s comments, saying the City Council was investing in what it said it would.
“I ran on a platform — and we ran on a platform — of basic infrastructure: safety and pavement and roads,” Ehlers said. “And there’s nothing more basic to a city than police and fire — public safety.”
