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Commissioners approve $46,675 amendment for Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department after split vote
Summary
After debate about a pilot staffing program and prior orders, the court approved an amendment to provide up to $46,675 to the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department for emergency response services; the amendment passed 3–2.
Kendall County commissioners approved an amendment on June 24 to provide up to $46,675 in budgeted funds to the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department for fire-protection and emergency-response services.
Commissioner Wiegand explained the county had initially planned job postings for two full-time firefighters for Bergheim, but the county then implemented a pilot program that allowed Bergheim to use the funds to hire off-duty paid firefighters. Commissioner Wiegand moved to rescind the May 13 order to post for two full-time positions and later moved to approve the amendment for $46,675 to the Bergheim agreement. The rescission was recorded as carried (minutes clarify a 4–1 tally on that earlier rescission). The amendment to the contract was approved by a 3–2 vote.
During discussion the court noted the pilot program had already started in good faith and that the funds were budgeted. Commissioner comments emphasized that no additional budget was required for the amendment. One commissioner expressed concern about the optics and process; commissioners voting in favor said the arrangement was meant to test a staffing model while using existing appropriations.
Ending: Staff were instructed to finalize amendment paperwork and process the payment; commissioners recorded the split vote (3–2) and noted the amendment covered the June 1–September 30 pilot period.
