Otsego council hires fire captain, approves firefighter hires and large equipment purchases despite one dissent

Mayor Jessica Stockamp and a majority of the Otsego City Council voted June 22 to staff the city’s new fire department and authorize related equipment purchases, while Councilmember Ryan Dunlap repeatedly opposed the measures, saying he does not support creating a city fire department.

The council approved appointing Aaron Ende as Fire Captain at Pay Grade 9, Step 1 and hired Grant Carlson as a full‑time firefighter at Pay Grade 7, Step 1. Mayor Stockamp moved to hire Ende and the motion passed with Stockamp, Michelle Lund and Corey Tanner voting in favor and Dunlap opposed. "I believe these actions stem from the City creating a fire department, which I have not supported," Dunlap said as he announced he would vote against the hires.

The council also approved hiring 22 part‑time firefighter cadets at an hourly rate of $16.00. Fire Chief Jim McCoy said cadet training will begin in July and the department is expected to begin responding to calls in January 2027. City Attorney Dave Kendall told the council that if a council member were to apply for and receive a position that created a personal benefit, that member would be required to recuse from related discussions and votes.

Council members authorized several large expenditures tied to the new department. The council approved Pay Application No. 18 for the Fire & Emergency Services Facility Project in the amount of $311,760.88. Council also accepted a quote from DSC Communications and authorized procurement of portable 800 MHz radios, equipment and programming for $204,000.84, and accepted quotes from Alex Air Apparatus to purchase Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and related equipment for $245,661. Each of those motions passed with Stockamp, Lund and Tanner voting in favor and Dunlap opposed.

Councilmembers who supported the actions emphasized readiness and staffing needs as the city phases in on‑call and full‑time response capabilities. Supporters said competitive applicant pools and planned training timelines justify moving forward. Dunlap argued the city’s existing contract providers offer cost‑effective service and that the new department and related purchases increase expenses for taxpayers.

Next steps include procurement follow‑through and equipment delivery schedules; McCoy reported the Fire Marshall and apparatus delivery timetable in the staff updates. Any council member with a potential personal financial interest in future personnel votes would be expected to recuse, per city attorney guidance.