Lang
8/17/24
The mayor of West Liberty says lengthy negotiations with the city’s volunteer fire department continue.
In April of 2022, members of the fire department told KCJJ the city had been “waging war” on the volunteers…demanding complete control of its operation and finances, harassing volunteers, and delaying the hiring of EMS personnel.
A letter to the city also claimed incorrect accounting, mixing volunteer fire department funds with the city’s general account, failure to account for donations made to the department and other issues.
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 members of the rural areas as well as the city. The city has been negotiating to become a part of the board ever since.
On Friday, West Liberty mayor Mark Smith issued a news release saying that the attorney representing the city has now submitted a proposed 28E agreement to the attorney representing the rural township trustees. He says he is now awaiting their response.
Smith says that the independent entity overseeing fire department services should be implemented first and then add emergency medical services after the entity meets state licensure requirements and has appropriate staffing in place. He adds that the agency must be certified to bill Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.
Smith says if a resolution can’t be reached, court proceedings may be necessary.