With a unanimous vote, West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners approved a five-year contract June 18 for the incoming district fire chief.
The contract for Ben Rigney — now WMFR’s administrative battalion chief — provides a salary of $115,000 a year and incentives.
WMFR named Rigney in March as the next fire chief to succeed retiring Chief Tom Sousa in October.
Rigney’s contract begins Oct. 17, 2019, and includes a 3% raise each year, an emergency vehicle and overtime pay for a declared state of emergency.
Contract incentives include a 15% salary increase if Rigney graduates from the National Fire Academy executive fire officer program.
Commissioner David Bishop welcomed Rigney saying, “We’re going to have a great leader if all the milestones are achieved.”
Sousa’s contracted salary is $112,000 annually.
Rigney said the main difference between the two contracts is vacation hours, with Sousa having 240 hours and Rigney’s contract providing 160 hours.
With a 43-year fire service career, WMFR promoted Sousa to fire chief in April 2014 after serving as a WMFR training captain and Longboat Key Fire firefighter.
Rigney has served WMFR for 13 years and holds a master’s degree.
Rigney said June 21 he is looking forward to future challenges in the district, including oversight involved in building a new administrative office/westside operation center.
“I’m excited about it,” he said.
— Kathy Prucnell
