Board approves no-cost inspection services agreement with Rincon Valley and Santa Rita

The Drexel Heights Fire District board authorized Resolution 2026-13 on June 26 to enter an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Santa Rita Fire District and Rincon Valley Fire District to share cooperative services. Chief Douglas Chappell explained the IGA provides access to a qualified inspector/investigator from Rincon Valley to fill a vacancy at no cost to Drexel Heights. "This is a no cost agreement," Chappell said when describing the arrangement. Laura Dailey voted against authorizing the Chair and Clerk to execute the resolution; the motion, made by James Bertrand and seconded by Elaine Aldrete, carried 3-1. In response to a question from Dailey about why Rincon Valley did not renew with Northwest Fire District, Chappell said Northwest had been charging more and that the proposed agreement combines staffing to reduce cost. The IGA is intended to fill a staffing gap in inspection and investigation services and to formalize cooperative arrangements with neighboring districts.