Frankfort Fire District Hires Two Firms for Over $70,000 to Lead Referendum Campaign

Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District has officially committed to a community outreach campaign for a potential tax referendum, approving agreements with both a professional consulting firm and the state’s firefighter association. The board approved a $70,000 contract with Discovery Works Collaborative to educate the public and a separate agreement with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois to manage voter canvassing.

Community Outreach Campaign Key Points:

• The board approved a Master Service Agreement with Discovery Works Collaborative for a total cost of $70,000.

• A second, parallel agreement was approved with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI).

• Discovery Works will focus on educating the general voter base, while AFFI will be responsible for direct voter outreach and canvassing.

• This dual approval formalizes the district’s plan to ask voters for a tax increase for the first time in 25 years.

FRANKFORT, IL – The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, formally launched its effort to seek a tax increase by unanimously approving contracts with two separate organizations to lead a comprehensive community outreach campaign.

The board approved a Master Service Agreement with Discovery Works Collaborative at a cost of $70,000. The firm will be tasked with developing the core message and educating the voter base about the district’s financial needs. During a brief discussion, trustees acknowledged the price was “expensive, but is in the customary cost range” for such services and noted that the firm’s approach helps collaborate with community needs.

In a tandem move, the board also approved a collaborative agreement with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI). This step formalizes a plan discussed in a special meeting in late July, leveraging the state-level union’s experience in running referendum campaigns.

Trustee Nicholas Spano explained that the two firms will have distinct but complementary roles. Discovery Works will handle the broader educational component, while AFFI’s efforts will be more “action-based,” focusing on direct voter contact.

“AFFI – end target is the voter,” Spano said, summarizing their role. Their job will be to “push the message forward, once determined with Discovery Works.”

Interim Fire Chief Paul Kinsella added that he had researched a competitor whose approach was similar to AFFI’s, confirming that focusing on the voter is a standard strategy for such campaigns.

The board’s decision to hire both firms solidifies its intent to place a referendum on a future ballot, a measure it has not pursued in a quarter-century. As discussed in previous meetings, the district is facing growing operational demands and future revenue challenges, prompting the need for additional funding to hire more firefighters and maintain capital improvement funds.

By approving the two agreements, the board has now officially allocated funds and resources to determine the best path forward for a successful referendum, with a potential election in 2027 being considered.