Little Falls council authorizes five‑year rural fire protection agreement, lowers city administration fee and increases relief contribution

Little Falls City Council authorized a five‑year rural fire protection agreement at its Jan. 5 meeting that staff said recalibrates cost sharing among participating municipalities and townships.

City Administrator Alex explained the principal changes: "we did reduce the administration fee from 5% down to 1% to be more reflective of the actual work that was being uh taking place," and the agreement establishes tiered step increases so all participants move toward paying their equitable share for equipment. Alex also told council the city’s annual contribution to the relief association will increase from $8,000 to $10,000.

Council members asked about governance and long‑term structures, including whether separate fire districts or alternate boards would be viable in the region; Alex and other staff said they would follow up with the fire chief and provide additional information. Staff noted two townships had not yet signed the agreement but were scheduled to consider it later in the week.

Several members emphasized caution in treating any early TIF receipts as recurring revenue and discussed setting aside funds for future contingencies. The motion to authorize the rural fire protection agreement carried; staff will finalize outstanding signatures and recalculate annual contributions each year using the state formula the agreement references.

Next steps: staff to coordinate with the fire chief and remaining townships to complete signatures, and to return to council with any governance or implementation options identified in follow‑up meetings.