Some 20 Minneapolis police officers and 15 firefighters will get a chance to retire with a $25,000 incentive intended to shrink their departments' payrolls.
Both police and fire departments indicated on Wednesday that they want to go beyond the minimum allocation of 10 incentive-paid retirements in each of the departments. The City Council adopted the incentive program in July but said each department could offer up to 20 retirement incentives if its chief approved.
The police department hopes to use all 20 spots, with 15 officers already indicating interest. The fire department wants to use 15 incentives; Chief Alex Jackson said 20 retirements would leave too few firefighters.
He said he'll adjust staffing by shifting one of the department's two rescue units from round-the-clock to as-needed staffing, freeing 18 firefighters to man some understaffed engine companies.
Each retirement incentive will reduce the number of people who might be laid off in 2011 for budget reasons. Mayor R.T. Rybak has proposed reducing police ranks by 24 and fire positions by 32, through attrition if possible.
City officials said that the $25,000 payment for each person who departs by Dec. 31 is equal to the cost of laying off an employee.
STEVE BRANDT
