Alburnett council approves FY27 wage increases, approves firefighter gear and safety upgrades, and commits $10,000 toward tanker grant match

The Alburnett City Council on June 11 approved a set of personnel and public‑safety expenditures and took steps on the city park project and community events. Councilors voted unanimously in favor of the main measures, with Councilor Sukup absent.

Council approved Resolution 06‑2026‑01 setting FY27 wages to take effect the first pay period following July 1, 2026, with the budget reflecting a 3% increase overall. The resolution lists several hourly rates, including the public works director at $29 an hour, city clerk Vicky Kula at $27 an hour and city support Lee Bolan at $25 an hour. The council discussed pay ranges and retention considerations before passing the resolution by roll call.

The council also approved firefighter equipment purchases after hearing from department representatives. Resolution 06‑2026‑02 authorizes a purchase from Heyman Fire Equipment not to exceed $21,629 for firefighter bunker gear and associated personal protective equipment. Fire department representatives said that the Heyman package would provide six usable sets (four full bunker sets plus two dual‑certified scene‑support shells), allowing older gear to be passed down within the department. "Realistically we're getting six for the price of four if we go Heyman," one department speaker said.

For the city’s water treatment facilities, council approved Resolution 06‑2026‑03 to buy and install new chlorine gas leak detectors and visible/audible alarms. Staff reported the current detectors are discontinued, prone to malfunction in very cold weather and have produced nuisance alarms that triggered sheriff calls. The council authorized purchase of two detectors and alarms from Hawkins Water Treatment Group in an amount not to exceed $5,080 and authorized Hawkeye Electric to perform installation not to exceed $1,837.73, with installation subject to public works authorization.

On grant planning, the council voted to commit up to $10,000 of local match for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant application for a 3,000‑gallon tanker (the AFG request was described at $600,000). Staff said township partners have committed additional match and that accepting any award would require separate council action. The resolution commits the local match only if the federal grant is awarded.

Council approved change order number one (Resolution 06‑2026‑05) for the Alburnett City Park project after contractors found a shallow city‑owned natural gas service line in the excavation zone serving the fire station generator and Wellhouse No. 3. The change order authorizes Ratchi Construction to relocate and lower approximately 200 linear feet of the line for an amount not to exceed $4,000 and extends the contract by two working days.

Other business: council authorized the repair of fire apparatus 139 (estimated not to exceed $1,855.86), approved a Fort Knox dropbox/mailbox purchase and pedestal ($375 + $145), discussed street banners and a proposed flagpole (and outreach to the American Legion about possible sponsorship), set a public hearing on July 9 for park shelter design, and granted a special‑event permit for the Diamond Club’s 2026 Benefit Day (pending certificate of insurance). The consent agenda was approved and the meeting adjourned; the next regular meeting is July 9 at 7 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 06‑2026‑01 (FY27 wages): approved by roll call, yes 4, no 0, absent 1 (Councilors Trump, Boenberg, West, Myers voted yes; Sukup absent). - Resolution 06‑2026‑02 (firefighter bunker gear purchase, Heyman Fire Equipment, not to exceed $21,629): approved by roll call/voice, yes 4, no 0, absent 1. - Resolution 06‑2026‑03 (chlorine gas detectors: purchase and installation, not to exceed $5,080 and $1,837.73): approved by voice/roll call, yes 4, no 0, absent 1. - Resolution 06‑2026‑04 (commit up to $10,000 local match for AFG tanker grant, contingent on award): approved by roll call, yes 4, no 0, absent 1. - Resolution 06‑2026‑05 (change order #1 — lower/relocate natural gas service line, not to exceed $4,000, +2 working days): approved by voice vote, yes 4, no 0, absent 1. - Resolution 06‑2026‑06 (repair fire apparatus 139, not to exceed $1,855.86): approved by voice/roll call, yes 4, no 0, absent 1.

Why this matters: The wage resolution sets personnel costs that will take effect in the next fiscal year and are partly funded from proprietary funds (water and sewer) and a tight general fund; the bunker gear and tanker actions affect firefighter safety and regional mutual‑aid capability; the park change order removes a construction obstacle so the project can continue on schedule.

What happens next: Acceptance of any grant award (AFG) requires a separate council action; staff will follow up on insurance paperwork for the Benefit Day permit and will return with banner, flagpole and park shelter materials as they are developed.