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Milan mayor reports Milan Area Fire Department board favors hiring two full‑time firefighters; council to weigh in
Summary
Mayor Ed Kolar reported that the Milan Area Fire Department board majority recommended hiring two full‑time firefighters; council members questioned budget and response-time details and were told staff would return with more information before a council decision.
Mayor Ed Kolar told the Milan City Council on Aug. 22, 2022, that the Milan Area Fire Department (MAFD) board — excluding the city’s own representatives — had a majority in favor of hiring two full‑time firefighters to supplement on‑call personnel.
The recommendation was presented by Kolar during an update on the Aug. 11 MAFD board meeting. Kolar said initial budget data and information about call‑response times and procedures were presented to the board a second time. Treasury staff and the fire chief fielded council questions during the meeting.
City Treasurer Sarah Finch and Fire Chief Robert Stevens answered several council questions about the budget and operational implications, the minutes show. The record does not include specific salary figures, staffing costs or a final budget adjustment; the council did not vote to authorize hiring at the Aug. 22 meeting.
Councilmember Pro‑Tem Kerkes expressed support for the information presented and said the data were useful for considering the proposal. Mayor Kolar said he would reach out to councilmembers for further direction on whether Milan should support the board’s decision to add two full‑time firefighters.
Why it matters: hiring full‑time firefighters would change how the Milan Area Fire Department staffs calls and could increase the city’s share of personnel costs if the city agrees to take on additional full‑time positions. Council members asked for more detailed budgetary information before making a policy decision.
What’s next: Mayor Kolar will consult individually with councilmembers and staff will provide additional financial and operational details for a future council discussion. The minutes do not record a formal motion, vote or effective date for hiring; any personnel changes would require specific council authorization if the city’s participation is requested.
