Davidson to add full-time firefighter, review pay scale

Davidson residents will see a direct change in local public safety staffing when the town adds a full-time firefighter position effective Jan. 1, 2027. The move shifts one part-time role at Station 1 to a full-time basis, a decision that requires an additional $50,000 in the current budget. Town officials stated that existing salary funds can cover this initial increase. Subsequent budgets will see an annual increase of approximately $100,000 to support the position.

Fire Chief Ryan Monteith presented the recommendation to the board on Oct. 13, citing difficulties in maintaining fully staffed crews. He described the current model as an arms race for part-time personnel, noting that many candidates work full-time for other departments and use Davidson shifts to supplement their income. Monteith called this arrangement unsustainable. He pointed to a growing trend where departments offer unlimited overtime at a firefighter’s home station, reducing the incentive to travel for part-time work elsewhere. He also noted that a focus on work-life balance is limiting the pool of candidates willing to take part-time roles between regular shifts.

The board also discussed a second part-time position at Station 2, which Monteith recommended converting to full-time by Fiscal Year 2028. Mayor Rusty Knox asked if the town’s reliance on part-time staff made it a dinosaur. Monteith agreed that a fully staffed department is the most sustainable approach and confirmed that is the long-term plan.

Town Manager Austin Nantz introduced a separate proposal to update the town’s Grade, Pay and Classification Plan Policy. The goal is to reiterate the town’s commitment to hiring and retaining quality personnel in a competitive regional market. Nantz described the process of balancing a small-town budget with the need for top talent as requiring a little bit of magic. She noted that Davidson cannot match the hourly minimum wage of larger jurisdictions like Mecklenburg County, which sets it at $25.53, or Charlotte, which sets it at $25. Davidson’s current minimum is $22.

Commissioner Steve Justus referred to Davidson as a unicorn due to its village atmosphere, an asset that may attract candidates who value location over higher pay. Nantz agreed that emphasizing these town characteristics is part of the strategy. However, she stressed that the town cannot be last in the region regarding financial compensation. The proposed policy aims to keep Davidson in the upper third of the regional market salary range. It also calls for annual market monitoring and a comprehensive market analysis every three years.

The board is scheduled to make final decisions on the firefighter position and the compensation strategy at its Oct. 27 meeting.