The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees finalized its financial plans for the upcoming year and adopted a new training ordinance at its meeting on July 24. The board’s most significant action was the unanimous approval of the budget and appropriations ordinance for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which sets the district’s legal spending limits. You can read more about the budget in our full story.

Trustees also voted to adopt Ordinance #0724-25B, which aligns the district with the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. For more details, see our separate article on this new ordinance. Other business from the meeting, including a potential tax abatement and a new environmental agreement, is summarized below.

Tax Abatement for Solar Project Considered
The board’s agenda included a discussion and a proposed tax abatement for a solar energy facility project within the district by a company named Earthrise Energy. A tax abatement would reduce the property taxes the company pays to the fire district. However, the official meeting minutes do not record any public discussion or action being taken on this item.

District Enters Agreement with Environmental Firm
Trustees unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding with E-Environmental Solutions, LLC. While the specific purpose of the agreement was not detailed in the public meeting, such arrangements typically outline cooperation on matters like hazardous materials handling or environmental safety compliance. The motion was made by Trustee Dave Kolosh and seconded by Trustee Mike Waterman.

Auditor Hired for Fiscal Year
The board formally engaged the accounting firm Mack and Associates to conduct its audit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The measure, which passed by a 4-0 vote, is a standard annual procedure to ensure an independent review of the district’s finances and compliance with accounting standards.

Donation Approved for Cancer Fundraiser
Trustees unanimously voted to support the “Chasing Cans for Cancer” initiative. As part of its community outreach, the district will donate a department blanket, provide breakfast, and offer a ride to school for the event’s fundraising efforts.

Chief Reports on Summer Programs
Fire Chief Joe Falaschetti updated the board on the successful conclusion of the Junior Fire Academy and the Citizen Fire Academy. He also noted that firefighter training for the year has surpassed 6,900 hours. The district also received a donation of coloring books from the Georgia Pacific Bucket Brigade program for community engagement.