Fort Mojave Mesa Fire District Board members voted unanimously to adopt a preliminary budget with a new front-loaded pay schedule intended to address long-term issues with firefighter retention, pay overlaps and pay equity. The restructured pay plan for firefighters went from a 9-step pay plan to a 6-4 pay plan that removed pay overlaps and addressed pay equity without increasing costs, while frontloading the incentives to stay with the department. "I believe in the pay structure," said FMMFD Fire Chief Chris Pardi. "It's going to solve some issues — it's not raising our costs any and we're committed to making more money when it comes to interfacility transports. We're committed to finding more money when it comes to grants and any other avenues with partners."