Beecher Fire District Board Approves 2025-2026 Budget

Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously approved its budget and appropriations ordinance for the upcoming fiscal year following a brief public hearing at its July 24 meeting. Ordinance #0724-25 establishes the district’s legal spending authority from now through the end of June 2026.

Beecher Fire District Board Key Points:

• A public hearing on the budget and appropriations ordinance was held, drawing no public comment.

• The board voted 4-0 to approve Ordinance #0724-25, which finalizes the district’s budget.

• The ordinance provides the legal framework for all district expenditures in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The Beecher Fire Protection District has formally adopted its financial plan for the next fiscal year, a crucial annual step that allows the district to fund its operations, payroll, and equipment purchases.

At their regular meeting on Thursday, July 24, the Board of Trustees held a public hearing to allow for resident input on the proposed budget and appropriations ordinance. The hearing was opened at 7:40 p.m. following a motion by Trustee Mike Waterman, which was seconded by Trustee Dave Kolosh. After one minute with no members of the public coming forward to speak, a motion was made by Waterman and seconded by Kolosh to close the hearing at 7:41 p.m.

Immediately following the hearing, the board moved to the new business portion of its agenda to vote on the measure. Trustee Kolosh made a motion, seconded by Trustee Lyle Siefker, to approve Ordinance #0724-25. The motion passed unanimously by a 4-0 roll call vote.

The appropriations ordinance is a legally required document for Illinois governmental bodies that specifies the maximum amount of money the district can spend in various funds or departments over the fiscal year. This approval is the culmination of the district’s budget planning process and gives it the legal authority to make expenditures.

The board also took care of other financial business, including the approval of the auditor’s report and proposal from Mack and Associates for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, ensuring continued independent oversight of the district’s finances.

Four of the five board members were present for the vote: District President Margie Cook, Dave Kolosh, Lyle Siefker, and Mike Waterman. Trustee Bruce Becker was absent. The meeting was also attended by Fire Chief Joe Falaschetti and Assistant Chief Tim McGannon.