Frankfort Fire District Approves 2025 Tax Levy and Authorizes Three New Hires

Frankfort Fire Protection District Meeting | November 18, 2025

Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously adopted its 2025 tax levy and authorized the hiring of three new firefighters to bolster department staffing. The new personnel are scheduled to begin their duties in early 2026.

Frankfort Fire Protection District Key Points:

• Tax Levy Passed: The Board adopted Ordinance #265, levying and assessing taxes for the 2025 year.

• Staff Expansion: Trustees approved the hiring of three new firefighters.

• Start Date: The new hires are expected to begin on January 5, 2026, and will attend academy training for three to four weeks.

The Frankfort Fire Protection District secured its funding for the coming year and moved to expand its ranks during a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance #265, which establishes the property tax levy for 2025. Prior to the vote, Interim Fire Chief Paul Kinsella briefed the Board on the limits imposed by the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), ensuring the district remains compliant with state tax caps.

In a separate action, the Board authorized the hiring of three new firefighters. Chief Kinsella explained the necessity of the additional personnel to maintain operational readiness. The new recruits are slated to start on January 5, 2026. Kinsella noted that two of the three employees currently on workers’ compensation have returned to duty, stabilizing current staffing levels ahead of the new arrivals.

Meeting Summary and Briefs:

Health Insurance Renewal:
The Board approved the renewal of the district’s medical, dental, and ancillary health plans. Interim Fire Chief Paul Kinsella reported that while the renewal rate increased by 16.7%, this was lower than the 20% increase the district had budgeted for. Kinsella noted that the current Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan is “hard to match” and is no longer available to new clients, making its retention valuable for the staff.

Fleet Maintenance Approval:
Trustees approved a purchase order of $12,411.32 to Interstate Power Systems for a new transmission for the district’s 2009 Pierce PUC vehicle. Chief Kinsella stated that this repair is expected to extend the life of the vehicle by five to seven years. In other fleet news, Kinsella reported that two new fire engines have arrived and are currently being outfitted, with an expected in-service date of January 2026.

Station 73 Heating Issues:
During facility reports, Chief Kinsella informed the Board that the front room at Station 73 is experiencing heating issues. The district has contracted with a new company to maintain the HVAC systems to address this and other maintenance needs.

Ambulance Billing Switch:
The district is transitioning its ambulance billing services to a new vendor, Digitech. Chief Kinsella told the Board that the district successfully negotiated a lower billing rate with the new provider.

Community Engagement:
The department continues its active community presence. Trustees thanked members for their participation in recent events like Home Depot Day and Halloween activities. Lieutenant Brian Adcock also highlighted the upcoming “Wreaths Across America” event, where the Fire District Foundation will help place wreaths on veterans’ graves at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Additionally, the department is preparing to assist with the Village’s tree lighting ceremony and holiday house walk.