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but a 3% raise for FY 2013-2014, which had already been budgeted. Attorney Mandel addressed Attorney Mierzwa's comments regarding wage increases; he pointed out that the Teamsters had also given back step increases in FY years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, and went without a COLA for seven years, like other County employees; and he said he supported the County's goal of keeping internal equity. He emphasized that the County had not proposed retroactivity, because none of the cost saving measures that the Union implemented were being applied retroactively. He reported that the County's ranges were comparable with Brevard, and if the County were to give a 3% COLA and raise the ranges by 3% on the minimums and maximums, Indian River County would be higher than Brevard County in every category. He addressed issues of turn -over, noting the average for resignations was 3.2%, and he did not consider it to be at a critical level. He suggested that instead of giving a 3.0% COLA increase for FY 2014- 2015, the Board might consider offering a 5.5% COLA increase for FY 2014-2015, and give a 2.5% step increase under the revised step plan, then everyone in the bargaining unit would receive a 5.5% COLA, and those topped -out would receive $1,500. J. Article 37 — Duration and Renewal 5 minutes each, County presents first 10:55 p.m. Attorney Mandel said the issue in Article 37, under Paragraph 37.01, was the duration of the contract - should it be a 2 -year or a 3 -year contract. He said the Union's proposal was to have the contract end September 30, 2015 (FY 2014-2015), and the County's proposal was for it to end on September 30, 2016 (FY 2015-2016). He urged the Board to approve the County Administrator's recommendation for the contract to run until September 30, 2016, to give the parties a chance to fairly evaluate the new CBA. Attorney Mierzwa rebutted the County's proposal, reasoning that since Exhibit P of Article 34 — Salaries, was just adopted, the contract should end in FY 2014-2015. 6. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND ACTION A. Article 14 — Uniforms and Equipment 9:50 a.m. The Commissioners sought and received information relating to uniforms, equipment, mask fit testing, and allotting sufficient funds to provide initial allotments and replacements. Emergency Services Director John King informed the Board that he kept an inventory of the most common sizes, and was able to replace safety equipment quickly. Impasse Hearing March 20, 2015 Page 8