From our weekly issue dated May 19, 2010
During its hour-long Thursday night, May 13 meeting, the Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) Board of Directors passed the first reading of an ordinance establishing a schedule for a series of fees.
Under the ordinance, there is no cost for an initial fire inspection or the first follow-up. But it does set up a $50 fee for non-compliance after a second inspection, which goes to $150 for non-compliance after a fourth inspection.
During the meeting at headquarters on Caves Hwy., Fire Marshal Jerry Schaeffer said that the inspections are a district“s most important function, but that compliance isn“t always achieved. There is no point in doing inspections if there is no compliance, he said.
“In fact, it hurts us,“ he noted, adding that the district“s liability increases in such instances. “We can“t stick our heads in the sand,“ he stated.
The new ordinance would inspire people to be more “proactive“ in achieving compliance, Schaeffer said.
IVFD currently can send persons to court for failing to comply, Schaeffer said, but “that“s not something we want to do.“ Chief Harry Rich said that he will direct personnel to take that action if compliance still is not achieved following the fourth inspection.
“This puts compliance on the books,“ Rich said.
Also established under the ordinance is a $55 fee for persons petitioning for inclusion into the district. Rich said that fee would cover the administrative costs of the annexation.
A third set of fees pertains to the inspection and permit processing of fireworks retail sale operations. The chief said that the board directed him to examine the issue when he began working for IVFD six years ago. However, he characterized the issue as a “political nightmare,“ because some fireworks stands are run by civil service organizations.
The ordinance sets up a $50 fee for inspecting booths and tents, and $200 for a display at a commercial event.
Rich also reported to the board that he plans to discontinue an overnight sleeper program, in which firefighters stayed at the fire station.
Even though the program cut response times down “tremendously,“ Rich said he it would cost $8,000 per year to keep it going. Executive Administrator Robin Paulson said that the program cost around $40 per night.
The program“s trial run provided the district with information and data that is very valuable, Rich said, especially if it should seek another personnel levy.
In other matters, the IVFD Board:
- Voted 4-0 to approve annexations of three properties. Director Sam Michel was absent.
- Heard a summary from Paulson regarding its evaluation of Rich“s performance. Paulson said that she gathered the written evaluations and prepared a summary. The chief received “outstanding“ marks in 69 percent of the categories, and “excellent“ marks in 24 percent.
The board“s next meeting is set for June 10, and will include a budget hearing and the second reading of the fee schedule ordinance.
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