The city of Sturgeon Bay and its firefighters union are still working to reach an agreement on a new contract, as firefighters approach a second month under an expired deal.
The two sides met in closed session during Tuesday’s Sturgeon Bay Common Council meeting in an effort to reach terms on a three-year contract, ultimately deciding to enter mediation.
Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward said it is something that has not happened in more than two decades.
Wages and benefits, including cancer screenings, are among the key sticking points that must be resolved before a new agreement can be reached. Ward said he is hopeful mediation will help both sides as they navigate financial realities.
During Tuesday’s Common Council meeting, members also approved the second reading of the city’s Premier Resort Area Tax ordinance. The measure will allow the city to join other tourism-oriented communities, such as Ephraim, Sister Bay and Wisconsin Dells, in charging an additional 0.5% tax on items typically associated with tourism, excluding essentials such as gasoline and groceries.
The move is expected to generate between $700,000 and $800,000 for infrastructure-related projects. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will now administer the tax and notify retailers to begin implementation. The tax is not expected to take effect until July.
