Excerpts from the DailyChronicle.com: For years, DeKalb County’s 10 rural fire departments have relied on free dispatching services provided by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division since the 911 system was implemented. So far, only Cortland and Kirkland have not yet agreed to pay the new fees, and some local leaders are upset. Frank Ottengheime, the longtime chief of the Shabbona Fire Department, has voiced his concerns. “We pay taxes, we pay for our phone bills, and we even cover our cell phone costs,†said Ottengheime, who has served with the all-volunteer department for 40 years. “I don’t know how many times we can be taxed for the same service.†He added, “Our belief is that this is an essential service, and it should be provided without extra charges.†The proposed fees come at a time when the county is trying to cut costs to balance its budget. However, Sheriff Scott explained that the decision wasn’t driven by financial pressure but rather by a suggestion from rural police departments. “Rural police departments have been paying for years, and they wanted the fire departments to help reduce their costs,†Scott said. “They brought this idea to the Law and Justice Committee in 2015 and pushed for a plan that included the fire departments.†According to county documents, rural fire agencies will pay around $26,000 for dispatching services this fiscal year, with that amount rising to about $30,000 by 2021. In contrast, the eight rural police departments – including Cortland, Hinckley, Kingston, Kirkland, Malta, Shabbona, Somonauk, and Waterman – will pay approximately $162,000 this year. The fees for fire departments are relatively modest. The Shabbona Fire District recently agreed to pay $1,900 for dispatching, with annual increases of 3% to 4% through 2021. When spread across homeowners, the fee adds between 14 cents and $2 per $100,000 in assessed value. With about 400 homes in the district, the impact is minimal, but for volunteer departments, every dollar counts. Volunteer firefighters in Shabbona earn $8.50 per hour, while paramedics get $12.50. Chief Ottengheime, who serves part-time, earns $3,000 annually. “No one is getting rich doing this,†he said. “A firefighter might get $10 to wake up at 3 a.m. – they’re not in it for the money.†Training requirements and operational costs are making it harder to sustain volunteer ambulance services. With tax caps limiting what fire districts can collect, adding new fees could affect equipment and training budgets, Ottengheime noted. Scott mentioned that several fee models were considered to ensure fairness. He explained that the increases are tied to rising labor costs governed by union contracts. “Fire dispatching isn’t something the sheriff’s office is legally required to do,†Scott said. “It’s an additional responsibility.†The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office provides dispatching services for most rural fire departments. They’ve introduced new fees, which will increase by 3.4% to 4.1% annually through June 30, 2021. Cortland: $4,300
Hinckley: $2,750
Kirkland: $3,400
Lee: $450
Leland: $1,450
Malta: $2,350
Paw Paw: $200
Shabbona: $1,900
Somonauk: $5,950
Waterman: $2,400 Source: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Thanks, Dan Shenzhen Longyin Printing Packing Co. Ltd is a professional printing company which located in Shenzhen nearby Hongkong S.A.R. With convenient transportation system and export advantageous geographic position. Our factory occupied with 4800 Square meters plant, Around 150 employees that including around 50 various technical staffs who already in the printing area for more than 15years. Furthermore, all of our products are manufactured with advanced equipment and under strict QC procedures in order to ensure high quality. Guaranteeing stable and timely supply, credible quality and sincere service. Equipped with Kodak CTP machines, Heidelberg 4 color machines, Heidelberg 8 color machines Komri 4-color machines, 2sets of Automatic Martini Hardcover Binding Machine, Saddle stitching binding machines, Martini adhesive binding machines, Folding machines, cutting machine etc. that can reach high quality printing and binding standard. Hardcover Book Printing,Hardback Book Printing,Hardcover Binding,Custom Hardcover Book Printing Shenzhen Longyin Printing Packing Co., Ltd. , https://www.lybookprinting.com
DeKalb County rural fire departments to pay for dispatch services
However, this long-standing arrangement is about to change. For months, Sheriff Roger Scott and other county officials have been working on a new fee structure for the smaller fire departments.