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Residents and Bennet fire officials oppose petition to annex part of Bennet Rural Fire District
Summary
At a public hearing, Bennet Rural Fire District leaders opposed a petition to move 25 households into the Southeast Rural Fire Protection District, citing response, mutual aid and operational concerns; Southeast district leadership testified neutrally and county staff answered procedural questions about notice and taxation timing.
During a Feb. 24 public hearing, leaders of the Bennet Rural Fire District testified in opposition to a petition seeking annexation of about 25 households into the Southeast Rural Fire Protection District.
Scott Kinzie, president of the Bennet Rural Fire District Board, said the district has a longstanding service record and expressed concern that dividing the territory could create operational challenges for volunteer response and mutual aid. Kinzie noted that "no residents have presented a complaint or concern to the Bennett Rural Fire District Board." He offered to provide documentation of response times if needed.
Bennet Chief Luke Baldwin also testified in opposition and reviewed response data, compliance with NFPA 1720 standards, potential ambulance-service impacts and recent updates to Bennet's Standard Operating Guidelines. Baldwin provided station reports and maps as exhibits.
John Wiese, chief of the Southeast Rural Fire District, testified in a neutral capacity and said Southeast did not initiate the petition; he noted prior annexations by the City of Lincoln in parts of Southeast’s territory. Deputy County Attorney Morgan Sanchez confirmed the statutory notice requirements (two local newspaper notices) and said the Clerk’s Office would need to confirm whether additional mailed notices were sent to all petition signers. Budget and Fiscal Officer Dennis Meyer explained that taxation resulting from an approved petition would not take effect until the next budget year (2026) and that payments would not be received until a later cycle.
Chair Christa Yoakum closed the public hearing. No final action on the petition was recorded that day; the record will inform any subsequent decision or Board action.
