Posts Tagged Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District

Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District news (more)

Jan 27

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 2 Comments

Excerpts from the KaneCountyChronicle.com:

About 60 people packed the Fox River and Countryside Fire Protection District meeting Monday to state their concerns with a staffing plan they said would result in fewer full-time firefighters and possibly longer response times.

Paul Ross, formerly a captain on the department, chastised the board for considering such a plan and said firefighters were concerned about losing medical coverage, sick and vacation days, retirement benefits and seniority.

“As I began to see the shortcomings in his [Fire Chief Carl DeLeo] proposed plan, I offered suggestions to try to mitigate the concerns that I, and other officers, had, as well as serious safety issues with regards to potential staffing and future response capabilities, … Make no mistake, you are about to lay off 18-plus employees who have families to support,” Ross said.

Ross said during his last several years with the district, his duties included hiring all part-time staff to supplement the full-time members. “The department has a 75 percent turnover rate for part time staff and today, after employing 50-plus part-time members, we have nine that are still with the department,” Ross said.

District resident Julie Riffle of Campton Hills criticized the board for suggesting to pay firefighters “less than someone working at McDonald’s.”

Board President Bob Handley said the part-time staffing model was necessary because the district had to cut costs by $200,000 to $300,000, and the staffing model proposed for the Fox River district is the same one used by Pingree Grove, McHenry, Evergreen Park and McHenry.

“This model is not going to leave the distrcit any less safe,” Handley said.

thanks Dan

Tags: Fire Chief Carl DeLeo, fire district may consider part-time staffing, fire district postpones tax referendum, Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Fox River & Countryside FPD wants tax increase, Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Public Safety Systems Inc

Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District news

Dec 17

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 4 Comments

Excerpts from theDailyHerald.com:

The Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District barely mustered a quorum Monday night, with three trustees in attendance, to make the decision not to hold a March referendum.

The trustees terminated a contract with the district’s fire and ambulance service provider, Public Safety Systems, Inc. Fire Chief Carl DeLeo and the trustees confirmed the district will convert to a part-time fire and ambulance staff. A similar operating model exists in other nearby departments like Pingree Grove and Huntley. DeLeo said the fire district can save up to $300,000 a year with the change. If the savings are true, trustees said they may forgo their next shot at putting a tax increase question on the ballot next November.

Trustees and Ken Shepro, the district’s attorney, debated a resolution opposing the pending drug and alcohol treatment center that wants to be at the former Glenwood School property just outside of Campton Hills. Shepro told trustees he expects the facility will generate “a couple hundred ambulance calls” a year. That would be a burden not anticipated for the district’s aging equipment. Jim Gaffney, who resigned as president of the district in October, said the calls from the new treatment center would fund the purchase of a new ambulance if the emergency call volume hit Shepro’s expectations.

Trustees said they planned to attend the public hearing on the treatment center with the Kane County Zoning Board of Appeals later Monday night.

thanks Dan

Click the link for a reference to many previous posts on budget and staffing issues for the Fox River & Countryside FPD

Fox River & Countryside FPD wants tax increase (more)

Nov 30

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 5 Comments

Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:

Another failed tax increase request would be the worst outcome from efforts to maintain the financial solvency of the Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District. So to avoid that, district trustees may not ask voters for a tax increase at all. Trustees met with the district’s fire and ambulance service provider, Maryland-based Public Safety Systems Inc., to find a way to cut costs.

“Everybody would love to do the referendum, but it was 3-to-1 against it last time,” said district President Bob Handley. “We know the chance of success is slim. Like any organization, our biggest line item is personnel. So we’re going to look at staffing, but we’ve got to keep the safety of the guys in mind.”

A month ago, trustees introduced the idea of cutting ambulance service. But fire calls represent less than 20 percent of the district’s workload. That makes a change to staffing far more likely, said Ken Shepro, the fire district’s attorney. One option that may make sense is staffing engines and ambulances entirely with a part-time staff. Shepro said several other local departments, including Pingree Grove, use that model and more may be headed that way.

The viability of that model for the district, and its ability to at least defer a tax increase request will be key aspects trustees will weigh in the decision for if and when to hold a referendum. Aside from personnel, the district has some major capital replacement costs looming, including the replacement of a 30-year-old fire engine.

District trustees have until Dec. 28 to put a tax increase question on the March ballot. They will meet Dec. 14 to make a decision.

If trustees don’t put a question on the ballot in March, Shepro said, it’s unlikely voters would see a tax increase question until 2017 at the earliest. Conventional wisdom says most taxing districts should avoid tax increase questions when presidential races are on the ballot. Those elections tend to have higher voter turnouts with more people voting no on tax increases regardless of how much they know about the ballot question.

thanks Dennis

Tags: Bob Handley, fire district may consider part-time staffing, Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Fox River & Countryside FPD wants tax increase, Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Public Safety Systems Inc

Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District news

Nov 24

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Excerpts from the KaneCountyChronicle.com:

A month ago, the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District Board accepted Jim Gaffney’s resignation as president. Monday, the trustees reacted to yet another resignation from Gaffney – this time from the board.

Bob Handley, who was named president at the Oct. 26 meeting, told his colleagues that he received Gaffney’s resignation letter that day, although it was dated earlier. The resignation was effective immediately. The trustees – who met in a room named after Gaffney at Station No. 3 in St. Charles Township – formally declared a vacancy on the board. Gaffney was absent.

He was serving a six-year term to expire in 2019. The district’s attorney, Ken Shepro, said the board could appoint someone to the position, and that person would serve until the 2017 election.

Gaffney served as the face of the district as it ended its relationship with the city of St. Charles in 2011 and opened two fire stations despite residents’ protests. His departure marks the second notable resignation at the district. Greg Benson – who served as the district’s chief since 2011 – retired recently. Carl DeLeo now serves as fire chief of operations.

When Fox River and Countryside dedicated Station No. 3 last fall, fellow trustees said the training/community room was named Gaffney Hall in recognition of his leadership and vision.

Tags: Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Jim Gaffney

Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District news

Oct 25

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 2 Comments

Excerpts from TheDailyHerald.com:

As the Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District marches toward another try at a tax increase, James Gaffney has resigned as president of the district’s board of trustees.

Gaffney confirmed Friday he resigned as president of the fire district earlier this week. He is also a member of the St. Charles Unit District 303 school board, a role that’s eating up more and more of his time. Gaffney will remain on the board but play a lesser role in several big decisions the district will make in the next few months.

Fire district officials are picking through the remains of a failed tax hike request by referendum in April. The move would have increased the taxes paid to the fire district by the owner of a $100,000 home by $48 a year. But that increase would have been phased in over five years. Voters rejected the request by about a 3-to-1 margin.

As trustees prepare to take a second shot at a tax increase, the atmosphere surrounding the question is looking more dire. The finances for the district appear to be reaching a crisis stage. District trustees are set to discuss the possible future discontinuation of ambulance and emergency medical services.

Trustees will elect a new president and discuss the referendum and ambulance service at a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at fire state No. 3, 34W500 Carl Lee Road, near St. Charles.

thanks Dan

Tags: Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Jim Gaffney

Fox River & Countryside Fire Rescue District … tough decisions (more)

Jul 12

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 6 Comments

Excerpts from the KaneCountyChronicle.com:

Officials of the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District on Thursday met with residents to talk about what the district’s next moves should be in light of a failed referendum … voters defeated the district’s rate hike request by a 3-1 margin in April, election records show.

Some of the roughly 10 residents who attended the Thursday meeting think the district needs to put another referendum question before the voters, but suggested officials change their approach from the previous effort.

“There seemed to be more emphasis on finance, equipment and budget … and not enough focus on the hardship of firefighters who work in the district,” district resident Dave Stohler said. “You have to present it in a more human fashion.”

Some of the district’s firefighter/paramedics left for better paying jobs and have not been replaced, said Bob Handley, the district’s board treasurer.

In an effort to promote the district and another possible referendum, some residents are considering the formation of a Friends of the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District group.

For information about the district, residents can call the district office at 630-584-3473 or email admin@frcfr.org.

thanks Dan

Previous posts on this topic are HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Tags: Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District loses bid for tax increase, Fox River & Countryside FPD wants tax increase, Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District

Fox River & Countryside Fire Rescue District … tough decisions

Jun 16

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 5 Comments

Excerpts from the Kane County Chronicle:

Officials at the the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District are bracing for critical budget issues caused by the failure of its April referendum, they said.

Board President Jim Gaffney said the district would ask voters for an increase again, this time on the March 15 primary ballot in 2016. Voters defeated the rate hike request by a 3-1 margin in April, records show.

“If it doesn’t pass next March, then we will not meet payroll at all by 2017-18,” Gaffney said.

The board will consider a tentative 2015-16 budget that reflects reduced spending and deferring equipment replacment at its next meeting, 7 p.m. Monday, June 22, at Fire Station Three, 34W500 Carl Lee Road, St. Charles.

Gaffney said the district could be dissolved, but it would have to be by voter initiative.

“Then the state fire marshal comes in and breaks us up, and re-appropriates us into different districts (Elburn, South Elgin, Bartlett and West Chicago),” Gaffney said.

The Fox River district, which formed four years ago, covers parts of St. Charles, Campton, and Wayne townships in Kane and DuPage counties, and sections of Wayne and Campton Hills.

The unaudited 2015 year-end totals show the fire district had $47,877, while the original 2016 budget projections, without cuts, would put the district nearly $500,000 in deficit.

The district cannot replace staff when they leave for better-paying jobs, and has to defer replacement of fire trucks and ambulances, Gaffney said.

A captain, a lieutenant and three firefighter/paramedics left for better paying jobs, Gaffney said. None will be replaced, saving the district $240,000, Gaffney said. But that is not enough to cover the replacement cost of fire trucks at $450,000 and ambulances at $250,000 each, he said.

The fire district’s attorney, Ken Shepro, said equipment replacement is critical.

Starting Wednesday, the district will operate with its remaining 21 personnel, re-arranged in shifts so all stations are covered, with no layoffs.

thanks Dan

Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District loses bid for tax increase

Apr 8

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Excerpts from MySuburbanLife.com:

Voters in the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District provided little doubt Tuesday about whether they wanted to pay higher taxes for emergency services.

Unofficial results in Kane and DuPage counties on Tuesday showed 854 voters supported the proposed tax rate increase whereas 2,240 did not.

The question asked voters whether the extension limitation for the district should “be increased from the lesser of 5 percent or the percentage increase in the consumer-price index over the prior levy year to 12.5 percent for each of the levy years of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.”

Officials with the fire district officials have said the extra funds would be used to increase the wages paid to personnel, among other investments, such as equipment.

The district covers about 38 square miles and serves residents in Campton Hills, Wayne and St. Charles townships.

Previous post is HERE

Voters to select fire district (more)

Oct 25

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 1 Comment

The Daily Herald has a followup article on the referendum about whether residents will move from the Elburn & Countryside FPD to the Fox River Fire/Rescue District:

A Kane County judge has agreed not to immediately certify results of a Nov. 4 referendum asking if some properties should be allowed to disconnect from the Elburn Fire Protection District. Circuit Judge David Akemann agreed to the delay Monday at the request of the Elburn fire district, which is appealing his Aug. 28 decision to allow the referendum to take place.

If voters approve the disconnection, Akemann would be asked to certify the vote and order the disconnection. If voters decide not to, Akemann would have to dismiss the petition, according to a motion filed by the Fox River district, which opposed the stay.

The appellate court has given the districts until Feb. 10 to file motions and replies on the appeal.

Voters in a portion of Campton Hills, Wasco and unincorporated areas are being asked whether they want to join the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District instead.

The Elburn district contends, in an appeal it filed with the Illinois 2nd District Appellate Court, that the petitioners who sought the referendum didn’t adequately prove requirements for allowing the referendum. Under state law, Akemann had to judge whether the area in question would receive equal or better service.

The petition for disconnection was filed July 17. Hearings were held in August. Elburn fire district officials argued they hadn’t had enough time to prepare a case that would counter the petitioners’ claims about taxes, fees, response times, facilities and more. The Fox River district says it could respond faster to emergencies, and would charge less property taxes.

The Elburn district has also asked Akemann to vacate his Aug. 28 order, but he has not ruled on that request. Attorneys for the Fox River district argue Akemann’s decision can’t be appealed, and that the stay of judgment would eliminate the “ability to obtain relief sought by the petition for disconnection.”

The area in question is bounded roughly by Campton Hill, La Fox, Burlington, Empire, Silver Glen and Swanberg roads.

thanks Dan

Tags: Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District, Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District Chief Kelly Callaghan, Elburn Fire Protection District, Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Fox River Fire Chief Greg Benson, voters to choose fire district

Voters to select fire district

Oct 21

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | 1 Comment

The Kane County Chronicle has an article about the ballot referendum for some residents in the Elburn Fire Protection District:

Select voters in the Elburn fire district will decide Nov. 4 whether they want to join the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District.

The upcoming ballot measure regarding fire service has turned political. The Elburn Village Board recently approved a resolution opposing the potential disconnection, and Fox River Fire Chief Greg Benson said some opponents are spreading misinformation about his district.

About 3,000 registered voters live in the proposed disconnect area, a territory roughly bound by LaFox Road to the east, Anderson Road to the west, Campton Hills Road to the south and Silver Glen Road to the north.

Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District Chief Kelly Callaghan said his agency has a proven track record of taking care of that area for both fire and EMS, and it recently opened a station in Lily Lake to better serve it. “Our department has been in existence 132 years, much more than three,” Callaghan said.

Benson said the quality of service shouldn’t be an issue because a judge determined the territory would receive comparable service from the Fox River district. In fact, he said, residents should experience shorter 911 call processing times. Currently, calls from the disconnect area are received by Kane Comm and are transferred to Tri-Com before units are dispatched, a process that can take up to four minutes, he said. Fox River calls are received and dispatched by Kane Comm, he said, a process that takes up to 21/2 minutes.

Property owners would pay less in taxes should they join the Fox River district, Benson said, noting Elburn’s tax rate is about 0.79 and Fox River’s is about 0.27. To illustrate the potential savings, the Fox River district compiled a list of addresses in the disconnect area, the taxes they paid to Elburn and the projected taxes they would pay to Fox River. According to the list, a home in the 40W000 block of Fox Creek Drive in Campton Hills paid $1,548.28 in taxes to Elburn and would pay an estimated $524.44 to Fox River – a difference of $1,023.84. On the lower end of potential savings, another home in the village might see a difference of about $350.

Should the disconnect be approved, Callaghan said the Elburn district won’t know the exact amount the district would lose in property taxes until the levy is approved. “We’re going to do everything we can not to lay off,” he said. “We still have 20,000 people in our district that we have to provide the same services for.”

Both fire districts charge EMS fees – the chiefs said it is common practice – and the rates vary by residency status and ambulance type.

Benson said his district also has been accused of charging fees for fire responses, which he said is not true. However, he said, its cost recovery ordinance gives the district the ability to charge a fee in certain circumstances, such as arsons or other illegal activities. Similarly, he said, a fee could be brought against someone who has a history of false fire alarms and refuses to fix the alarm system.