Whitestown Fire Board reviews 2026 budget rollout as aging trucks rack up costly repairs

WHITESTOWN, Ind. — At its regular meeting Wednesday, Aug. 6, the Whitestown Fire Board reviewed an initial rollout of the 2026 budget, received monthly operations and EMS billing reports, and heard detailed updates from the fire chief about mounting repair costs and out-of-service days for multiple ladder trucks.

The chief told the board the budget increase is driven largely by contract-related pay changes that would move the base pay for full-time firefighters to $79,000 and produce “trickle down” increases in performance pay and longevity. The presentation proposed moving several pay-related lines — holidays, stack pays, the $4.57 match and vacation cash-out — into the full-time firefighter line so they are shown as part of that position’s cost.

The Nut Graf: The discussion matters because the department’s operating and capital choices for 2026 will need to account for both recurring costs tied to personnel contracts and near-term capital pressures: multiple front-line ladder trucks have required expensive repairs and lengthy downtime this year, narrowing available reserve capacity and increasing the urgency of budget decisions.

Chief’s operations and EMS figures: The chief reported July totals including 182 calls for the month and a year-to-date total of 1,182 calls. He said the EMS division recorded 379.5 training hours, 77 patient contacts and 75 transports in the month; the chief added there were 718 transported miles. On billing, the chief said, “For the billing report, July, we had $49,000 or $49,065.29, bringing our year to date revenue up to $282,005.50, which is a 14.4 increase of where we were at this time last year.” In a related comment about billed services the chief also said the department showed “almost $99,000 in billed services” (as presented during the monthly recap).

Budget highlights and staff recommendations: The chief described proposed adjustments across budget groups. Notable items included: - Personnel: the primary driver is the contract change raising base pay to $79,000. The chief said the town accountants recommended consolidating several pay lines into the full-time firefighter line and that those amounts are included in the consolidated total. - Supplies: the chief proposed raising the supplies line to $120,000; town accountants had suggested $100,000. - Fuel: based on year-to-date spending, the chief proposed $75,000 for fuel, down from prior estimates. - Training and EMS: a proposed increase in EMS training was explained by the department’s plan to support two to three personnel seeking medic school. - Debt service: expected to decline as some leases end, though the chief said he was still awaiting confirmation on lease-term details.

The chief said the board will be asked to take action on the budget later in the fall and that the department will return to the discussion in September with a final recommendation before the board’s October timeline tied to the town council process.

Apparatus maintenance and station renovation: The chief gave a detailed account of recent repairs and costs for front-line and reserve apparatus and noted an outstanding decision about a station renovation.

- Station 271 renovation: bids to perform renovation “to put a band aid on some things” ranged from $60,000 to $90,000; the chief said $80,000 remains in the department’s capital outlays but urged caution about spending that balance immediately given other maintenance needs.

- Ladder 271 (primary ladder): the chief listed multiple repairs — engine harness, emergency power unit, air intake shutoff, water level sensor, lift cylinder replacement, rear leaf spring repair — totaling about $29,000; the truck has been out of service 47 days this year. He said a diesel particulate filter replacement had been quoted at $24,000 and that vendors are being explored to pursue an EPA variance or an alternative repair to avoid that cost.

- Ladder 272 (newer ladder): the chief said repairs have included replacement of seat cushions and steering wheel parts, turbo flex tape and an EGR cooler replacement that cost about $25,000; the truck has been out of service 20 days this year and is currently out of service while staff investigate a roughly 4-gallon coolant loss. The chief said vendors had quoted about $10,000 to remove cylinder heads for further diagnosis, which the department was reluctant to undertake without alternatives.

- Reserve ladder: the reserve ladder required a turbo replacement, an EGR cooler repair and an accelerator pedal electronic repair this year; the chief said the department spent nearly $11,000 on that vehicle and that it had been out of service 21 days. He added an estimated additional $2,000 would be needed to fix certification items (a waterway well and a relief valve).

On ambulances, the chief said they are “doing okay” with only minor items and no major service issues to report.

Board process and next steps: The board did not adopt the budget at the meeting. The chief and town accounting staff asked board members to review the presented documents over the coming month and return for deeper discussion in September and again in October as part of the town council timeline. The chief encouraged board members to contact him with questions about specific lines.

Votes at a glance: The board took three routine procedural votes during the meeting: approval of the meeting agenda, approval of the July minutes, and adjournment. Other items—most notably the budget—were discussed but not voted on.

Ending: The board adjourned after the business on the agenda concluded and will take up the budget and related capital decisions at future meetings.