Sparks firefighters give up pay raise

SPARKS (AP) " Sparks city firefighters have agreed to give up a scheduled 4.2 percent pay raise in light of the city's budget shortfall.

Officials say the concession from members of the International Association of Firefighters will save the city about $430,000.

Fire Chief Andy Flock said the city would have had to consider closing some fire stations unless firefighters agreed to the wage cut.

The City Council must still approve the concession. City officials are trying to cut $1.7 million from the budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1.