137.09 UNIFORM ALLOWANCE.
   (a)   Each member of the Division of Fire, regardless of rank, shall receive, in addition to his regular compensation, an annual allowance toward the purchase of regularly prescribed uniform and turnout clothing, including blouse, trousers, cap, shirts to which insignia required by regulation are permanently attached and cannot be ordinarily worn in civilian use as a result thereof, dress uniform shoes, work shoes and fire boots, turnout coats, helmets, sweatshirts, work trousers and coveralls. Such allowance shall be a maximum of four hundred seventy-five dollars ($475.00) in any twelve-month period, except that the maximum allowance for all new appointees during their first year of service shall be in such amount as is approved by the Safety Director to provide sufficient adequate uniforms and equipment. All such uniforms shall be purchased by the employee who shall present to the Fire Chief or his designee a proper receipt for such expenditures. The uniform allowance shall be paid by check issued to the employee and distributed to the Fire Chief or his designee in the amount of two hundred thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($237.50) on April 15 and two hundred thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($237.50) on October 15 of each year.
      (1)   Distribution of the checks shall be made by the Fire Chief or his designee to the employees upon presentation to the Fire Chief or his designee of the above-required receipts. The Chief or his designee shall collect all such receipts and forward them to the Director of Finance.
      (2)   Each full-time member of the Division of Fire shall, in addition to the above, receive an annual allowance of five hundred twenty-five dollars ($525.00) per year for cleaning of such uniforms. The maintenance allowance shall be paid by check issued to the employee and distributed to the Fire Chief or his designee in the amount of two hundred sixty-two dollars and fifty cents ($262.50) on April 15 and two hundred sixty-two dollars and fifty cents ($262.50) on October 15 of each year.
      (3)   Any Fire Fighter, incurring damage or destruction to any personal fire equipment, clothing or gear, in the performance of his official duty, shall be entitled to reimbursement from the City upon presentation of a claim to the Fire Chief, with satisfactory proof thereof.
   (b)   All purchases of the uniform requirements of the Division of Fire shall be in accordance with Chapter 153.
   (c)   Any uniforms or portions thereof paid for by the City shall be and remain the property of the City during a member's probationary period in the Division. However, upon receiving a permanent appointment to such Division such articles of uniform clothing paid for by the City, shall thereafter become the property of such member.
   Should an employee’s employment be terminated (voluntarily) within one (1) year of the date of hire, the employee may be required to reimburse the City an amount equal to the clothing allowance he received, or return all issued uniforms and turnout equipment to the City.
   (d)   Such uniform allowances shall apply only to full-time members of the Division.
(Ord. 2004-202. Passed 12-21-04.)