In May, the Leander Professional Fire Fighters Association aimed to implement civil service rules—which establish special standards for sick and vacation time and for the hiring, firing and promotion of employees—within the Leander Fire Department. When about 60 percent of voters declined the initiative, LPFFA President Kirke Phillips said he would attempt to bring the issue back to the public in 2014. However, after election day, Phillips said the city and the organization worked together to find common ground without implementing civil service status. In 2013, LFD made policy changes and began to use a point system to rank the hireability of employment candidates, Fire Chief Bill Gardner said. Volunteer firefighters in good standing with LFD and military veterans get extra credit in the system. Following a citywide compensation survey, members of the LFD received significant pay raises, which took effect in October, Gardner said. "It was a very emotional process and at times very unpleasant for everyone involved," he said. "But we have collectively put that aside for the betterment of the department and moved forward, which allows us to address the rapidly growing needs in the community." Because of the changes, Phillips said LPFFA does not intend to push for civil service status in 2014. "We have been able to get more things that we wanted except for arbitration," Phillips said, adding that the union still wants the option to have a third party present during disciplinary proceedings. "I don't know if we are going to revisit anything as far as referendum in 2014. We're here to ensure employees are safe and paid a safe wage, and right now they are."