Otsego council approves job descriptions and recruitment as city moves to staff new fire department
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Summary
The City of Otsego voted 4–1 to approve job descriptions and authorize recruitment for fire captain, cadet and part‑time firefighter roles as staff accelerated hiring timelines to try to have the department operational by January 2027; city staff flagged a budget variance and proposed using the fire reserve fund to offset costs.
The Otsego City Council on Feb. 9 approved job descriptions and authorized recruitment for several firefighter positions as the city advances plans to stand up its own fire department.
Chief Scott, who led the staffing presentation, told the council the goal is to be "fully operational as a team by January 2027," and asked the council to approve a fire captain job description and recruit for full‑ and part‑time positions. The proposed staffing timeline moves two captains to start in May and the third later in the year, shifts full‑time firefighter start dates earlier and calls for a 20‑person part‑time/cadet pool to begin training this summer.
City administrator Adam warned the revised timing increases costs from the adopted 2026 staffing assumptions. "What was presented tonight would be a cost of $575,000," he said, and noted the city has roughly $194,000 remaining in a fire reserve fund that the council could transfer by resolution to help cover the variance.
Council members pressed staff on policy and operational details, including whether existing staffing policies remained in effect, pay during cadet training, and a residency/response‑time minimum (a draft cadet posting referenced a 15‑minute residency requirement). Staff said cadets would be paid hourly during training and that residency language would be reviewed.
The vote: an unnamed council member moved to approve the fire captain job description and authorize recruitment; the motion passed 4–1. A subsequent motion to approve the firefighter cadet and part‑time job descriptions and to amend the seasonal and temporary pay plan to include the positions and wage scale also passed 4–1.
Council debate also addressed longer‑term facility needs. Council member Dunlap cited past studies that recommended multiple stations to match contracted service performance; Chief Scott agreed the west side eventually will need additional coverage but said a workforce and operational focus comes first.
The council directed staff to proceed with recruitment under the approved job descriptions and to return with any policy or budget adjustments needed as hiring progresses.
