Montrose council raises fire department training and call pay, approves 2025 annual report

Montrose city council voted to raise certain Fire Department pay rates and approved the department's 2025 annual report at its April 13 meeting. The council approved resolution 2026‑10 to raise training pay from $15 to $20 per authorized training event and to increase call pay from $12.50 to $20 per call.

Fire Department staff presented the annual report, noting staffing and call-volume details: “the Montrose fire department has 23 active firefighters or reserve firefighters with a combined total of 235 years of experience,” and the department recorded 316 calls during the year. Council members moved to publish the annual report so it can be posted to the city's website and shared with partner agencies.

Council discussion included acknowledgement of the department's mutual‑aid partnerships and a brief procedural exchange about the wording of the motion. The pay-policy change was presented as a way to better compensate firefighters for training and call responses; votes on the resolution recorded abstentions by two members and passed with a 3–2 tally as reflected in the meeting record.

The city also approved two separate equipment purchases tied to the department's readiness: a bulk order for 30 new helmets and helmet fronts, and acceptance of a Minnesota DNR match grant to fund pagers. The helmet purchase (McQueen Equipment) was approved at a stated total of $14,340 for helmets and $1,600 for fronts; the council also accepted a $2,500 50/50 grant and authorized the purchase of 10 pagers for $6,185.23. These items were approved by unanimous votes earlier in the meeting.