Court authorizes posting for two full‑time firefighters to serve Bergheim after court debate on funding and supervision

After extended discussion May 13 about volunteer staffing shortfalls, liability and budget impacts, the Kendall County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to post two full‑time firefighter positions intended to serve the Bergheim area and to direct the county fire marshal to work with the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department chief on job postings and schedules.

Commissioner Wiesgen had proposed allocating $143,026 to a contract with Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department to hire paid staff for a four‑month trial; the proposal prompted extended discussion about whether paid staff should be county employees, whether staffing should be paid by the county or handled as stipends by the volunteer department, and about supervision and liability. County Fire Marshal Brady Constantine told the court that if firefighters are employed by the county they would fall under the county fire marshal’s oversight and that volunteer departments can pay limited stipends without becoming a regulated entity.

After questions about schedule formats and concerns that short‑term payments could create ongoing expectations, Commissioner Regent moved to post two full‑time firefighter positions for Bergheim and to have the fire marshal work with Chief Adam Hawkins on job postings and schedules; the motion was seconded by Commissioner McCall and carried 5‑0.

Staff said the positions would be posted and the fire marshal would coordinate training, scheduling and operational procedures with the Bergheim chief. The court also discussed holding a roundtable with all county fire chiefs and legal and budget staff to develop longer‑term solutions and to review costs as part of the upcoming budget process.