"It's my cotton-picking money"

Before we debate,err, discuss the difference between minimum wage and liveable wage, please define "prevailing wages"???

There are a variety of reports available on the market if you are trying to quantify the dollar amount. But you first must state what occupation you are referring too.

I was looking at the wcfd site, they list starting salaries around 38K for firefighters with EMT certification. Is 28K your actual starting? That seems kind of low.



Curious, what percentage of your salary goes to your pension and how much does the state match?

7% is what I pay. As to what Department you are looking at, Walton County Fire Rescue is funded differently than South Walton Fire Rescue.

I try to take home around $25-$30 a week if things are going well.

So everyone in Walton County can survive on $25-$30 a week?

Yes I am aware that he's just being sarcastic.

7% is what I pay. As to what Department you are looking at, Walton County Fire Rescue is funded differently than South Walton Fire Rescue.

Just to lessen my confusion, if that is even possible, when you say 7%, is that something that comes out of your gross pay, and if so, then are you an employee of either of the two entities above? I do not recall the county employees making contributions to their own retirement, have no idea how swfd works on that issue.

So everyone in Walton County can survive on $25-$30 a week?

Yes I am aware that he's just being sarcastic.

I think you are confusing the issue. I thought we were first going to try to establish just exactly what a unskilled, no experience job needs to pay, or at least what you thought was fair and then using that number, come up with salaries for other positions instead of the default union position of "more".


Personally, I feel that whatever two people can agree is a fair amount of dollars in exchange for services is the correct amount. Minimum wages, union contracts for wages, all of that does nothing more than stifle the economy and lead to higher involuntary unemployment.

Just to lessen my confusion, if that is even possible, when you say 7%, is that something that comes out of your gross pay, and if so, then are you an employee of either of the two entities above? I do not recall the county employees making contributions to their own retirement, have no idea how swfd works on that issue.

I work full time with SWFD and pay 7% into my retirement based on base pay. My pay is figured based on a 53 hour work week and anything over 106 hours in a pay cycle is overtime. I also work part time with WCFR approximately 2 days a month.

I work full time with SWFD and pay 7% into my retirement based on base pay. My pay is figured based on a 53 hour work week and anything over 106 hours in a pay cycle is overtime. I also work part time with WCFR approximately 2 days a month.

Does the SWFD use the Florida Retirement System or are they doing something different? Do they match that 7%? How do the benefits work if it is not FRS?

Just to lessen my confusion, if that is even possible, when you say 7%, is that something that comes out of your gross pay, and if so, then are you an employee of either of the two entities above? I do not recall the county employees making contributions to their own retirement, have no idea how swfd works on that issue.

Good questions. Also, is there a employer match? If not I'd suggest looking for a different employer. 401k's typically have a matching component that adds to your salary.

I'm also curious, you metnion you pay into a pension, who manages the pension? Do you recieve any information on how that money is invested?

Chapter 175, with the employer and State both contributing. There are 5 members on our pension board, 2 selected by the firefighters, 2 selected by the Fire Board and a fifth selected by mutual agreement of the retirement board members. The 175 plan is strictly for firefighters. As to how it is invested, the Plan Board members have financial advisers, as to what, how, where and who we invest in, I lack that information only because I have not asked.

Chapter 175, with the employer and State both contributing. There are 5 members on our pension board, 2 selected by the firefighters, 2 selected by the Fire Board and a fifth selected by mutual agreement of the retirement board members. The 175 plan is strictly for firefighters. As to how it is invested, the Plan Board members have financial advisers, as to what, how, where and who we invest in, I lack that information only because I have not asked.

Interesting. Well it's good to know you get a match, that adds to your base pay. Seems though that maybe you should go for that EMT training part, the salaries look to jump up quite a bit if you don't already have it.

Also, just an FYI, looks like your pension is managed by Morgan Stanley and is mostly in fixed income. That's good assuming it wasn't in Lehman Brothers bonds. I doubt the public has access to the investment breakdown but I'm sure you get a year end report.

Personally, I feel that whatever two people can agree is a fair amount of dollars in exchange for services is the correct amount. Minimum wages, union contracts for wages, all of that does nothing more than stifle the economy and lead to higher involuntary unemployment.

You know pro-slavery proponents used that same argument.

A pension for years of service/contribution and a second career/pension is one thing - getting elected and then resigning after a month to collect a pension - not so much! :angry:

Looks like he stepped down.

http://www.wjhg.com/state/headlines/37090369.html