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Council moves Fire Merit Commission ordinance to second reading after union support
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance to amend Title 2 of Bloomington Municipal Code to acknowledge the City of Bloomington Fire Merit Commission and clarify oversight distinctions with the Board of Public Safety; the firefighters' union voiced support and council scheduled second reading for July 29.
Council introduced Ordinance 2026-15 to amend Title 2 of the Bloomington Municipal Code to reflect state law changes and to identify the City of Bloomington Fire Merit Commission as the oversight body for the fire department.
Attorney Allen (city legal) summarized the change: "State code was changed a few years ago to add in merit board systems as a default for police and fire," he said, noting the city’s police department remained under the Board of Public Safety while the fire department adopted the merit system. The ordinance updates existing language to clarify that the Board of Public Safety no longer has oversight over the fire department and establishes the city’s Fire Merit Commission.
Wes Martin, president of Local 586's political action committee and a representative of the firefighters' union, spoke in support: "Local 586 and our local firefighters union recommend passage of this ordinance," he said, adding that union members welcome additional oversight over promotions and disciplinary actions.
Council member Stossberg said the change reflects an oversight that "didn't get worked into code" when the fire merit system was adopted and moved to place the ordinance on the council's July 29 agenda for second reading. The motion carried on the clerk's roll call and the ordinance will return for final action.
