South Russell Village council approves three-year fire and EMS agreement with volunteer department

The South Russell Village Council approved on second reading an ordinance authorizing a three-year fire protection and emergency medical services agreement with the Spring Falls Suburban Volunteer Firemen's Association.

Councilman Bell asked that the ordinance be read and said, “I'll ask mister Porter to introduce it.” The ordinance covers service for a three-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2026, with contract payment amounts of $604,826.70 for 2026, $677,405.91 for 2027 and $758,694.62 for 2028. The ordinance also authorizes the mayor to execute the agreement on behalf of the village and declares the measure an emergency.

There was no recorded debate in the transcript on the contract terms. A second was noted on the motion and the ordinance was approved by voice vote; the transcript records the chair calling for “all those in favor, say aye” followed by “Aye” and no recorded opposition. The meeting record does not specify individual vote tallies or the names of the mover and seconder.

The item was presented as a second reading of an ordinance; at the close of the record someone stated, “Second read. We've got the third read.” The transcript does not specify any additional committee referrals, conditions on implementation, or an effective date beyond the contract start of Jan. 1, 2026.

The council meeting opened with roll call but the transcript records no public comment or separate discussion concerning service levels, staffing, response times, or budget offsets for the contract.

Next steps in the transcript: the mayor is authorized to execute the agreement as part of the approved ordinance and the emergency clause was included in the adopted language.