Peoria Heights trustees defer vote on hiring three full‑time firefighters amid budget and pension concerns

The Peoria Heights Board of Trustees on Wednesday voted to defer a resolution related to hiring three full‑time firefighters after a lengthy public‑comment period and hours of trustee debate over budget projections, pension liabilities and staffing alternatives.

The move came after residents and department leaders urged the board to honor a prior decision to move to a hybrid model of full‑time staff augmented by stipended volunteers. A letter read aloud by resident Greg Walters quoted Fire Chief Daniel S. Decker saying, "there had been over 140 calls from January 1 until November 1, 2023 that had no response from our members," and urging the board to adopt a structure that guarantees 24‑hour coverage.

Why it matters: Trustees must weigh the community's safety needs against long‑term pension and benefit obligations. Several trustees said the immediate budget for the current fiscal year could accommodate hires beginning in October but that the plan exceeded projected limits in the 2025–26 budget.

Trustee D'Or, who placed the resolution on the agenda, told colleagues that the commission and chief have invested months of work and that a delay should not eliminate momentum: "I don't want that list to go away — I don't want it to be that, 'oh we'll never hire a full‑time firefighter.'" At the same time, Trustee Weisenberg expressed concern about sustaining pension and benefit costs over time and said a pause could avoid creating unaffordable recurring obligations.

Residents who spoke urged the board to proceed. "This decision buys you a professional staff of firefighters," said Adrien Caver, who described years of grant work with fire departments nationwide. Capt. Ben Thompson of the Peoria Heights fire department added: "Irregardless of any decision that is made here tonight or any other time we will provide the most professional and the safest terms of service to anybody in this Village."

Board action: Trustees moved to defer the resolution to allow Chief Decker and administration to follow up on new financial information and for staff and counsel to draft potential ballot language. The motion to defer passed on roll call.

Next steps: Trustees directed staff and legal counsel to prepare clearer cost estimates and sample ballot language for the April consolidated election so voters can weigh funding options — including property tax increases or alternative revenue mechanisms — before the board takes further action.