Eldridge council votes to transition fire and EMS toward city‑managed hybrid department

The Eldridge City Council voted to begin transitioning the city’s fire and emergency medical services toward a city‑managed hybrid model, after extended public comment and debate.

The motion approved by the council directs staff to move forward with a city‑run department in which the city would hire a fire chief who would manage day‑to‑day operations and a volunteer corps, and the city would take ownership of major assets and fund capital improvements. The council also instructed that a transition team — including city staff and volunteer representatives — be formed immediately to work out logistics and timelines.

Why it mattered: Residents, city staff and council members framed the decision as a response to volunteer burnout, administrative workload and long‑term sustainability concerns. During public comment, Judith Gilbert urged the council to back an independent volunteer model and cited a three‑year funding request starting at $766,516 for fiscal 2027. Assistant Administrator Jeff Martins reviewed a multi‑year record of meetings and documents the city collected while weighing options.

On the financial and operational context, Police Chief Andrew Loving cautioned against comparing police and volunteer fire budgets directly, saying the two services operate under very different models and demands. Assistant Administrator Jeff Martins told the council the volunteer company had received a $721,000 FEMA SAFER grant intended for recruitment and retention; city staff noted that the grant had not, in their view, solved underlying management and retention challenges.

Council debate centered on three alternatives discussed publicly over the past year: (1) accept the volunteer company’s request for independence with a city funding agreement, (2) have the city own assets while volunteers operated under a nonprofit, or (3) create a city department that combines paid leadership and volunteer responders. Speakers who favored the city‑managed hybrid model argued it would provide public oversight for taxpayer funds, ensure long‑term planning and let the city fund capital projects such as station improvements. Opponents urged caution about costs and urged that volunteers’ preferences be respected.

The motion was made and seconded; a roll call vote was held and the motion carried. Councilmembers instructed staff to begin preparations immediately, including developing a hiring/search process for a fire chief and scoping the station build‑out and related capital needs. Councilmembers discussed an October target for implementation steps and emphasized ongoing communication with volunteer members during the transition.

What’s next: The council directed staff to assemble a transition team and report back with specific timelines, budget implications and proposed hiring steps. The council emphasized the volunteers’ role in the transition and asked that the process be transparent.

Quotes and attribution: “I would propose to make a motion that we move towards the city run department for the city where it becomes a city department that hires the chief with a volunteer corps,” said a councilmember during the motion. Assistant Administrator Jeff Martins summarized the city’s review of documents and grants, noting the SAFER grant history and the city’s outreach to peer communities. Police Chief Andrew Loving said comparing a 24/7 police operation to a primarily on‑call volunteer fire service “is not just inaccurate. It's fundamentally misleading.”

Ending: The council’s vote begins a formal transition process; staff will return with details on budgeting, hiring and the transition team’s membership on a schedule set by the council.