Excerpts from the NWherald.com:
Huntley Fire Protection District Chief Scott Ravagnie will earn $140,000 a year in his new position. He was sworn in Tuesday after a village board meeting where his contract was approved. He is replacing former Chief Ken Caudle.
Ravagnie’s contract began Nov. 1, runs until April 30, 2019, and gives him 30 days of vacation each year, 10 sick days, and 3 bereavement days.
He will earn a base salary of $140,000, and on May 1, 2018, the board will review his salary based on consumer price index and merit. He previously earned $132,500 as deputy chief.
As fire chief, Caudle’s salary was $149,074 for the 2017-18 budget year. The district is conducting an ongoing investigation about Caudle into something officials won’t talk about. He submitted a letter of resignation to the board Aug. 11, returned to his last commissioned rank of battalion chief, and was placed on administrative leave. He continues to earn a salary of $119,240 while on leave.
Moving past an ongoing investigation into Caudle is one of Ravagnie’s goals for the district. He also hopes to find a new location for the district’s main station and will be looking at response times for the residents.
Ravagnie must inform the board of his intent to seek secondary employment outside of the district and must devote his time, energy, and attention to serving as chief. He is allowed to continue ownership and services of Kona Ice, a truck he helps his wife Sherry run that sells gourmet frozen treats.
The district will provide Ravagnie with a vehicle and pay for insurance, fuel, maintenance, and repair. He also is required to complete the Fire Officer III program by April 30, 2019.
Ravagnie has worked for the district since 1992, moving up the ranks over the years. He grew up in Huntley and has lived there since 1986.
