Lang
12/14/24
The City of West Liberty and the city’s volunteer fire department have come to an agreement that would end an almost three-year-old dispute.
That’s according to a news release from the city. It says the two sides have reached an agreement on a proposed 28E Agency to provide fire protection to the residents of the City of West Liberty and surrounding areas.
In April of 2022, members of the fire department told KCJJ the city had been demanding complete control of its operation and finances, harassing volunteers, and delaying the hiring of EMS personnel.
Members of the West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department established an association as a Chapter 28E Agency to be governed by a board in which the volunteer department would answer to both members of the rural areas as well as the city.
A key component of the new agreement is the initial establishment of the fire protection agency. Within a year after execution of the agreement, emergency medical services would be brought into the new fire organization if approved by the Emergency Medical Services Board, the rural trustees, and the West Liberty City Council. There is a provision for additional time for transfer of emergency medical services if requested by the new entity.
The agreement now must be ratified by the township trustees and the West Liberty City Council. West Liberty Mayor Mark Smith and Rural Fire District chair Dick Brandis are encouraging both groups to approve the measure.