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Board reallocates $30,000 to firefighter/first-responder retention and training; amends 2025 budget
Summary
Supervisors approved Resolution 27-25, a budget amendment reallocating $30,000 previously authorized for other training/retention purposes so it may be used for firefighters and first responders who complete required training levels A and B; the motion passed on a roll-call vote after an amendment to clarify training levels.
The Polk County Board of Supervisors voted to amend the 2025 budget and reallocate $30,000 to support firefighter and first-responder retention and training, adopting Resolution 27-25 with a clarifying amendment requiring completion of specified training levels.
Legal counsel and staff explained the action repurposes one $30,000 component of prior Resolution 10-24 (which had multiple funding pockets for training, retention bonuses and related items) so that the $30,000 may be paid to firefighters who ‘‘complete the requisite training and meet the parameters as set out in this particular resolution.’’ During committee review, Public Works/Public Safety recommended an amendment to specify that eligible candidates must have completed ‘‘level A and level B’’ training; the board approved the resolution with that amendment.
The resolution required a two-thirds vote because it amends the 2025 budget. Two supervisors signaled they would abstain and were excused from voting; the remaining roll-call produced the votes needed for passage. Several supervisors spoke in support, citing retention challenges in volunteer and combination fire departments and local recruitment efforts in high schools and cadet programs; staff noted the resolution applies countywide and that the funding would follow the parameters described in the resolution.
The board’s action directs administration to implement the revised eligibility criteria and to allocate the $30,000 consistent with the amended language; staff said emergency management and local fire chiefs will be involved in verifying training completion and administering the payments.
