The goal is gradually to get all the employees to contribute the maximum shares allowed by law, said Councilman Joe Shaw. This would mean that the public-safety employees would end up paying 9% and non-public safety employees 8% toward the pension program.
Talks with the Huntington Beach Firefighters Assn. came to a standstill in May after the majority of the council did not tentatively agree to the group's offer, said association President Darrin Witt.
"Unfortunately, at this time, at least some on the council, I believe, are trying to think politically instead of fiscally," he said. "There are some people on the council that want to make a political statement. They want to take a political stand. Unfortunately for us, and I think for the city, is we're trying to come up with real solutions to real fiscal problems."
