Title
Appointment of Council Representatives to the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependents Fund Board for the 2019 Term.
Executive Summary: On an annual basis, City Council must appoint two of its members to serve on the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependents Fund Board (VFFDFB). The current representatives, Mr. Hanink and Dr. Williams, are interested in continuing to serve on this Board.
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 2018 VFFDFB consists of Council members Dennis Hanink and Dan Williams, Fire Department members Jay Zedak and Shane Reid and citizen member Roger Burgess. The Board’s term is a calendar year. Barring a firefighter death or disability, the Board typically meets once a year for less than an hour.
Timing Considerations
City Council must appoint two of its members to the VFFDFB between November 1 and December 10, 2018 (the second Monday of December). Members of the Fire Department have re-elected Jay Zedak and Shane Reid to serve as its VFFDFB representatives during 2019.
The Board must meet by December 31, 2018 to elect a 2019 citizen member. Mr. Burgess is willing to continue serving in 2019 as the citizen member. The annual meeting has been scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on December 4, 2018, prior to the Council meeting.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required.
Suggested Action
Recommendation
Staff recommends appointment of two Council members to the Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Dependent Fund Board. Council members Hanink and Williams are interested in serving in 2019.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Jerry Varnes, Fire/EMS Chief
Elizabeth Slagle, Clerk of Council