Santa Rosa firefighters delay pay raise

<p>Santa Rosa fire fighters deferred 3.5 percent raises this year to help the city weather its budget problems.</p><p>The City Council on Tuesday formally accepted the salary concessions, which are expected to save $690,000 this year.</p><p>“A big thank you to the fire fighters for doing this,” Councilman Ernesto Olivares said.</p><p>The city has been seeking 5 percent salary concessions from most of its employees for months. </p><p>The current budget assumes the city will ultimately secure $2.5 million in concessions from employees to help plug its $3.8 million budget gap. </p><p>Firefighters previously agreed to forgo raises to keep fire stations open and pay for a portion of their medical premiums, said Chris Sliz, the city's employee relations manager.</p>