James R. Howard

The agenda focuses on new business, specifically the promotion of Lieutenant Doug DePersia to Battalion Chief following a retirement, along with subsequent appointments for the Engineer and Lieutenant positions. Additionally, the Board will discuss the upcoming Engineer testing scheduled for the summer.

Key discussions included a presentation from the Senior Advisory Council regarding updates and future plans. A Public Hearing was scheduled concerning the Amended Budget Ordinance and Annual Appropriations for the fiscal year 2025. Old Business involved the approval of a settlement agreement between Michelle Leddin and the District. New Business items covered several financial and operational approvals: the Treasurer's Report and a Cook County Grant; the recommendation to hire six Firefighters for the 2026 Academy; renewals and purchases for CAD systems, station alerting, and rescue training equipment (including multiple training manikins); approval to purchase a used 2007 International 4400 Medium Duty Squad for Hazmat; promotion of Lieutenant Joshua Girdick to Battalion Chief; approval for asphalt installation bids around the new training tower; relocation of a train car for campus reorganization; discussion on engaging a data company for staffing/salary analysis; and approval to retain legal counsel for personnel matters. The final New Business item was the approval of Ordinance 2026-01 Amended Budget Ordinance and Annual Appropriations.

The agenda includes a public hearing on the amended budget ordinance and annual appropriations for the year beginning January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024. The meeting will cover various reports, including finance, human resources, communications, and reports from Local 2754 and Local 134. New business items include approval of the District Treasurer's Report, ordinances related to the amended budget and levying taxes, resolutions to abate real estate taxes for Von Maur, allowing Trustee Jayne Schirmacher to attend meetings via electronic conferencing, setting the regular meeting schedule for 2025, and renewing the Cohesity M365 Data Protect service. Additional items involve transferring funds to the Retiree Health Trust Fund and Capital Fund, increasing wages for non-sworn personnel, encumbering the remaining Training Facility budget, approving the Decennial Committee Meeting Minutes and Final Report, and purchasing structural firefighter gear. The board may enter a closed session to discuss personnel matters, collective negotiating, the selection of a person to fill a public office, real property, securities, security procedures, pending litigation, and closed session minutes.

The document is a tentative budget for 2021, compiled with consideration of the District's Strategic Plan adopted in May 2018. It highlights the District's mission to preserve life and property, its vision to provide skilled service with fiscal responsibility, and its strategic goals. The budget addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations and finances, including changes in procedures and revenue impacts. It prioritizes programs supporting strategic goals and benefiting residents, focusing on property tax revenue and personnel costs. The budget assumes the continuation of the Cook County Training Grant for regional training. The document also mentions the construction of a replacement maintenance facility and the purchase of an aerial truck funded by debt certificates.

The agenda includes a public hearing on the Amended Budget Ordinance & Annual Appropriations for the year beginning January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2023. The board will discuss and possibly approve the District Treasurer's Report and the Cook County Grant Treasurer's Report. Further discussion and possible approval include the 2023 Amended Budget Ordinance, a 10-year Capital Plan, annual renewal for Handtevy Pediatric Emergency Standards, a resolution to abate a portion of Von Maur's real estate taxes, and a resolution to allow Trustee Schirmacher to attend meetings via electronic video or audio conferencing. The agenda also involves setting the Regular Meeting Schedule for 2024, recommending the hire of 13 new Firefighters, approving annual CAD maintenance, making budgeted transfers to the Retiree Health Trust Fund, and approving payments to the IL Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services for GEMT. Additionally, the board will consider levying taxes for Tax Year 2023, approving a backup system for Office 365, and an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Oak Forest Fire Department for Emergency Communications Center Call-Taking and Dispatching Services. Budgeted transfers from the General Fund and Ambulance Fund to the Capital Fund will be discussed, as well as Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, and Chief employment contracts, pay increases for non-sworn, non-bargaining unit employees, and a closed session to discuss personnel matters, negotiations, real property, security procedures, and litigation.