Title
A Motion to Appoint Councilmembers Foster and Sutton to Serve as Representatives to the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependents Fund Board for the 2025 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, 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 2024 VFFDFB consists of two (2) Council members, two (2) Fire Department members, and one (1) citizen member. 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 2025 term, and Councilmembers Chris Foster and Skylar Sutton have expressed interest in continuing to serve as VFFDFB Representatives.
Legal Authority
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04, Contracts & Purchasing:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks; bid tab attached: [Yes/No/NA])
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Professional Services
Other
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
x Appropriation Not Required
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends the appointment of Mr. Foster and Mr. Sutton to the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependent Fund Board for 2025.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Jeffrey Knoblauch, Assistant City Manager - Finance Director
Jerry Varnes, Fire/EMS Chief
Aparna Wheeler, Clerk of Council