Commission approves MOU to consolidate City of Riley volunteer fire department into Riley County Fire District No. 1

The Riley County Commission voted Nov. 6 to approve a memorandum of understanding to consolidate the City of Riley volunteer fire department into Riley County Fire District No. 1.

Commission discussion described the consolidation as formalizing services that the county already provides to the city and said the county will lease the city's fire building back to the city for $1 per year so that multiple entities can continue to use portions of the facility. Commissioners and staff said the arrangement will add a training/meeting room and additional storage for county fire operations.

A motion to sign the MOU was made and seconded; the chair called the question and commissioners responded in the affirmative. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally or named mover and seconder. The commission directed staff to finalize the agreement and return any required implementing documents for signature.

Commissioners noted the consolidation will reduce duplicated administration and maintain continuity of service for city residents. Staff said the city's volunteer department had been part of the district's coverage area and the consolidation will consolidate command and training resources while preserving local storage and some city functions in the leased building.

No ordinance or statute was cited during the discussion; commissioners treated the item as an intergovernmental consolidation via MOU.