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Marengo chief urges consolidation with Union to shore up staffing; committee reappoints two rescue-squad incumbents
Summary
Marengo fire and rescue leaders told the committee consolidation with Union Fire Protection District would not change tax levy rates but could improve staffing consistency and ISO ratings; the committee unanimously approved retaining two incumbent rescue-squad appointees.
Marengo fire and rescue officials told the McHenry County Law and Government/Liquor Committee that consolidation among three local taxing districts would not raise the tax levy but could improve staffing, initial response and insurance ratings.
Chief John, appearing for Marengo, said the three separate taxing districts (Marengo Fire Protection District, Marengo Rescue Squad District and Union Fire Protection District) currently operate at the same levy rate; consolidation, he said, would not increase what residents pay but would allow funds now held by Union to be redirected into payroll to increase on-station staffing. “We would take the money that the Union Fire Protection District takes in, which is about $240,000, roll that into payroll, and add additional staffing so that we would have 3 people in the village of Union versus 2,” John said, describing how a third person could create a ‘jump company’ able to respond both with apparatus for fires and ambulances for EMS calls.
Committee members pressed on technical items — ISO-rating reviews, the timing of retrogression, and the limits of using auto-aid for ISO calculations — and asked how consolidation would affect operations in growing areas of McHenry County such as Huntley and Woodstock. Chief John said Union’s board and chief had recently indicated they are not interested in consolidation now, but Marengo officials said they plan to send a follow-up letter and consider an advisory question or referendum to let taxpayers weigh in.
Separately, the committee considered two incumbent applicants for the Marengo Rescue Squad. Member Mister Seiger moved to extend the incumbents’ appointments; the motion was seconded by Mister Shorten and passed on a roll-call vote recorded in the meeting minutes.
Committee members thanked the rescue leadership for coordinating regional coverage and noted staffing and equipment costs remain the principal challenges going forward.
