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Ellendale fire chief presents pay-models and equipment needs; council approves helmets and lockers
Summary
Fire Chief Logan Busho presented stipend and hourly pay models and requested equipment replacements. Council approved two new helmets ($900 total) and portable lockers ($8,500). Busho said neighboring towns are raising initial fire-call fees and the city will consider a fee change at a future meeting.
Fire Chief Logan Busho told the Ellendale City Council on Feb. 12 that neighboring towns have raised their initial fire-call fees and presented two volunteer-compensation models for council consideration.
Busho summarized two approaches used by nearby departments: a per-call stipend model (Blooming Prairie example: $10 per call plus $2 per meeting) and an hourly-pay model (Medford/Morristown example: $15 per hour). "If we did it the way Blooming does, which is $10.00 a call and $2.00 per meeting, that would have been $9,633 going off of our 181 calls for last year," Busho said. He provided alternate math for an hourly model that estimated roughly $30,375 for the same activity. Busho said matching higher rates would affect the city budget and tax levy; the council asked staff to return with details during next year’s budget process.
On equipment requests, Busho asked to replace two helmets; the council approved purchasing two helmets at $450 each ($900 total) on a motion by Council member Joel Meyer. The council also approved ordering portable lockers at a cost of $8,500 (previously authorized up to $10,000); that measure passed by roll call vote (Asplund, Meyer, Groth: Aye).
Why it matters: Volunteer recruitment and retention and the department’s readiness depend on equipment quality and how the city structures compensation. Any change in fire-call fees or stipends could increase municipal expenditures and potentially affect the levy.
Other operational notes: Busho said the department will conduct a house burn on Feb. 21 and that the fire hall interior is nearing completion; Clerk Steve Engel is arranging final sign-off to occupy the building.
Next steps: Staff will provide comparative rate information and a proposed resolution changing the Master Fee Schedule at a future meeting, and the clerk will record and process the approved equipment purchases.
