Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the payment of $6,230.64 to Firefighter Timothy J. Gribble for vacation leave that has accumulated in excess of the maximum amount established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Columbus and Columbus Fire Fighters Union Local #67 I.A.F.F. A.F.L.-C.I.O. C.L.C. (hereinafter referred to as the "Collective Bargaining Agreement").
Pursuant to Section 20.2(A) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, "At the end of February of each calendar year, employees shall be paid for any vacation balances in excess of the maximums fixed by this Article, upon certification by the Appointing Authority to the City Auditor and the approval by City Council that due to unusual circumstances, it is not in the best interests of the City to permit an employee to take vacation leave which would otherwise be forfeited as provided in Section 20.1(A)(2) and Section 20.1(B)(2)."
Firefighter Timothy J. Gribble was hired by the City of Columbus on July 1, 2013. Section 20.1(A)(2) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement sets the maximum accrual of vacation hours for Forty (40) Hour Employees with more than 6 years but less than 14 years of continuous service at 552 hours.
Firefighter Gribble returned from an 18 month federal military activation on February 2, 2026. While Firefighter Gribble has used as much vacation leave as possible since his return, the number of surplus hours in his vacation bank makes it impossible for him to bring his balance within the maximum allowable accrual by the February 28th deadline set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Firefighter Gribble has a balance of 667.532 unused vacation hours as of February 28, 2026. Therefore, the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire is requesting Council approval to pay Firefighter Gribble for the 115.532 hours he has accumulated in excess of the maximum amount established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available within the Department of Public Safety's 2026 General Fund Budget. This Ordinance is contingent upon passage of the 2026 Operating Budget, Ordinance 2938-2025.
Title
To authorize the payment of $6,230.64 to Firefighter Timothy J. Gribble for vacation leave that accumulated in excess of the maximum amount established by the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Columbus and Columbus Fire Fighters Union Local #67 I.A.F.F. ($6,230.64)
Body
WHEREAS, Firefighter Timothy J. Gribble returned from an 18 month federal military activation on February 2, 2026; and
WHEREAS, during his deployment, Firefighter Gribble accumulated 115.532 vacation hours in excess of the stated I.A.F.F. Collective Bargaining Agreement maximum; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Public Safety desires to pay Firefighter Timothy J. Gribble for his unused vacation time that resulted from his military deployment; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire to make a monetary provision for excess vacation time due to Firefighter Timothy J. Gribble for the reasons set forth above; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That this Council determines that it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to authorize payment to Firefighter Timothy J. Gribble in the appropriate amount for accrued vacation time not taken by any fault of his own, and which otherwise would be forfeited.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1 hereof, the expenditure of $6,230.64, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from Fund 1000 general fund, subfund 100010 in object class 01 Personnel, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.