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Seward County weighs fuel reimbursements for volunteer mutual-aid departments after February fires
Summary
County staff proposed reimbursing out-of-county volunteer departments for fuel or minor expenses incurred while providing mutual aid during February fires; commissioners asked staff to draft an agenda item and indicated funding could come from the county's reserve for claims.
County staff told commissioners April 6 that several volunteer fire departments assisted during February wildfires and that it is not uncommon in some jurisdictions to top off mutual-aid apparatus before they return to their home counties. Staff proposed reimbursing local volunteer departments for a portion of fuel expenses as a goodwill gesture and to encourage mutual aid.
Staff described examples including Beaver County, which provided assistance and experienced equipment damage (staff cited a reported axle loss with a quoted repair cost of $25,000). The staff member suggested a $500 payment per affected volunteer department as a starting point and recommended funding the reimbursements from the county's reserve for claims because the fire budget did not include those funds.
Commissioners discussed whether such use of reserves is legitimate and agreed to place the matter on the next agenda so the body can take formal action with full notice. One commissioner offered to contribute personally if necessary; staff said they would prepare the agenda item with a funding source recommendation.
No payment was authorized at the meeting; the commission's direction was procedural—to prepare an agenda item so the board can vote with full documentation at a future meeting.
