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Elkhart City Board approves mutual aid pacts, Faith Mission training agreement, safe‑haven baby box and records fire commission election
Summary
The board approved a Faith Mission training agreement (facility use for $1 per year with City assuming maintenance), mutual aid for grass/brush response with Cleveland and Bago townships, installation of a safe‑haven baby box at new Fire Station 6 with $600 annual maintenance, and recorded the unanimous election of Mandy Leenby to a fire merit commission seat.
At its April 14 meeting the Elkhart City Board of Public Safety approved several fire‑department items, including a training‑facility agreement with Faith Mission, mutual aid for grass and brush responses, placement of a safe‑haven baby box at the new Fire Station 6 and recording the results of a Local 338 fire merit commission election.
The Fire Chief explained the Faith Mission agreement allows the City to use the facility for training while charging a nominal $1 per year; under the contract the city will assume responsibility for upgrades and routine maintenance so Faith Mission is not asked to carry those costs. The board approved the agreement after legal review.
The board also approved mutual aid agreements with Cleveland Township and Bago Township for grass/brush fire response. The chief said replacement or maintenance of a grass rig is costly (the transcript referenced about $290,000 in 2024 and projected over $300,000 for replacement), and the mutual aid arrangement will be used when incidents exceed the department's stretch‑capability.
Members approved establishing a safe‑haven baby box at the new Fire Station 6; the meeting discussed that initial construction costs are incorporated in the station build and the ongoing maintenance fee is $600 per year due January 1.
Finally, the board recorded that Local 338 held an election on March 31 (30 votes cast) and unanimously elected Mandy Leenby to the previously vacant seat on the fire merit commission; the board accepted and recorded the results.
Provenance: Faith Mission agreement discussion introduced SEG 350 and concluded SEG 387. Mutual aid introduced SEG 389 and concluded SEG 422. Baby box introduced SEG 423 and concluded SEG 460. Election recorded SEG 461 to SEG 476.
