During their January 9th meeting the Prophetstown Fire Protection District Board of Trustees learned of the resignation of trustee Jennifer Sleeman. Sleeman was elected to the board in April of 2021 to serve a four year term. Recently she had formed a committee to develop a strategic plan for the district and had also been hired as the District secretary. In her resignation letter she said, “I am done being micromanaged. I am a graduate student in a business doctoral program. The second guessing of my actions is not only time consuming but frustrating.”
The resignation opens an additional seat on the 5 member board. Petitions to run for a seat on the board were filed by incumbent James Thompson and new comers Billy Lane and Tony Wade. There are two positions open on the board. The board can appoint someone to complete Sleeman’s term.
Fire Service
Fire Chief Gerald Armstrong reported the district responded to 23 calls in December for a total of 215 for 2022.
Renovations continue at the Prophetstown station with the radio room near completion. The office area new carpet will complete the renovation.
C.J. Gorman and Kyle Skromme were approved as new district firefighters.
Board Action
Approved paying the full cost of dress uniforms for personnel who have helped with the renovations of the Prophetstown Station.
Approved the purchase of four new pagers for district personnel. A rescue saw along with a new water softener for the Hooppole Station were also approved.
Agreed to purchase a used command vehicle for $2,500 from the Erie Fire Department. The vehicle will be used mainly for transporting district ambulance personnel to out of district training. The vehicle will be available for fire personnel as well if needed. The decision was based on cost savings as currently the district pays mileage to personnel for driving personal vehicles to trainings.
Ambulance Service
Administrator Julie Pope reported crews responded to 58 calls in the month of December.
Dawn Fisk resigned her part-time position as Administrator’s Assistance.
Tax Referendum
The trustees approved a plan to have two separate tax increase measures for the district in the April election. The fire service and the ambulance service will both be asking for a slight increase to their tax rates. While the tax is collected by the fire district, the ambulance service receives a portion of the monies collected, which is the reason for the separate increases. The fire district will ask for 1/10% increase for, .3% to .4% with the ambulance service asking to increase.15% from .25% to .4%.
The next trustees’ meeting will be held on Monday, February 13th at 7:00PM at the Prophetstown Station.
