Title
A Motion to appoint Councilmen Foster and Sutton to serve as Representatives to the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependents Fund Board for the 2022 Term.
Brief Description: On an annual basis, City Council must appoint two of its members to serve on the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependents Fund Board (VFFDFB), and Councilmen Foster and Sutton have expressed interest in serving.
Body
Legislative History
The Ohio Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependents Fund was established in 1961 in Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 146, which provides for payments to the spouse or children of a volunteer (including paid-on-call) firefighter who is killed in the line of duty. It is funded by assessments based on the assessed value of property in the community. Hudson’s assessment is $150 and occurs whenever the fund balance drops below a certain amount. Typically, there are two or three assessments each year. Additional federal and state benefits are available for firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Purpose & Explanation
A local board is established each year with membership from the Fire Department, City Council and the community. Its function is to prepare and submit an application upon the line of duty death of a firefighter. Membership on the 2021 VFFDFB consists of Council members Chris Foster and Skylar Sutton, Fire Department members Ken Klemencic and Jay Zedak, and citizen member Roger Burgess. The Board’s term is one calendar year. Barring a firefighter death or disability, the Board typically meets once a year for less than an hour.
Two Council appointments are needed for the 2022 term, and Councilmen Chris Foster and Skylar Sutton have expressed interest in continuing to serve as VFFDFB Representatives.
Timing Considerations
City Council must appoint two of its members to the VFFDFB between November 1 and December 13, 2021 (the second Monday of December). Firefighters have re-elected Ken Klemencic and Jay Zedak to serve as their VFFDFB representatives during 2022.
The Board must meet by December 31, 2021, to elect a 2022 citizen member. Mr. Burgess is willing to continue serving in 2022 as the citizen member. The annual meeting is tentatively planned for Tuesday, December 14th prior to the Council workshop.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required.
Suggested Action
Recommendation
Staff requests the appointment of two Council members to serve on the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependent Fund Board during 2022.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Jeff Knoblauch, Assistant City Manager - Finance Director
Jerry Varnes, Fire/EMS Chief
Elizabeth Slagle, Clerk of Council