Bashaw councillors stressed the importance of equal service-award values for municipal employees and volunteer firefighters during discussion of an awards policy at their Oct. 7 regular meeting.

The proposed policy would establish recognition for long service, departures, retirement and exceptional contributions by town employees, firefighters and council members.

Chief administrative officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller explained that administration had revised the draft to incorporate firefighter recognition milestones in a separate schedule, including eligibility for provincial and federal service honours.

A key difference between the town’s draft and the fire department’s recommendation was the value of a 10-year award. The department proposed a personalized ring or equivalent commemorative item worth up to $250, while administration retained a $150 limit.

Fuller told council the amount could be increased to $250, with corresponding adjustments to later milestones, depending on council’s preference.

She also explained that firefighters would qualify for town service awards between the milestones associated with external honours, recognizing their importance to municipal operations.

During discussion, council members emphasized that consistency mattered more than whether the 10-year award was set at $150 or $250. The member supported recognizing firefighters’ eligibility for additional honours but wanted town award values to remain identical for employees and firefighters.

The draft sets five-year service awards at a maximum of $100, rising to $150 at 10 years, $200 at 15 years and $300 at 20 years. Maximum values would reach $500 at 30 years and $750 at 40 years and each subsequent five-year milestone.

For firefighters, the five-year award would be practical gear, such as a duffel or garment bag. The draft’s 10-year award would be a personalized ring or equivalent commemorative item.

The firefighter schedule also provides for recognition after completion of probation and nominations for provincial and federal service honours. Those honours would remain subject to the issuing organizations’ eligibility requirements and approval.

External medals and service bars would not replace local service awards unless the firefighter chose otherwise.

Departing council members in good standing could receive recognition valued at $100 for each completed four-year term, to a maximum of $750. Council could approve additional recognition for departing members with at least 20 years of service.

Award limits would include personalization, taxes and related costs, with funding established through the annual operating budget.