Beecher Fire District Approves Amended Budget, Renews Paramedic Contract

Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | March 26, 2026

Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously approved an amended budget ordinance and renewed a multi-year contract for paramedic services during a brief meeting with limited board attendance.

Beecher Fire District Key Points:

• The Board approved Ordinance 0326-26 to amend the district’s budget following a public hearing that drew no community comments.

• Trustees voted to renew the 2026/2027 Metro Paramedic Services contract.

• Due to the absence of two board members, temporary officers were elected to conduct the evening’s financial and administrative business, with all votes passing 3-0.

The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Thursday, March 26, 2026, voted unanimously to approve an amended budget and renew the district’s paramedic services contract during its regular monthly meeting.

Operating with a partial board, District President Margie Cook and Trustees Bruce Becker and Lyle Siefker navigated a streamlined agenda. Trustees Dave Kolosh and Mike Waterman were absent from the proceedings. To facilitate the meeting, the board voted 3-0 to elect Siefker as temporary secretary and Becker as temporary treasurer.

The primary legislative action of the evening centered on the district’s finances. Trustee Siefker motioned to open a required public hearing regarding the amended budget. The hearing was remarkably brief; Trustee Becker motioned to close the hearing at 7:16 p.m., with the minutes noting there was no public participation or comment.

Immediately following the closure of the hearing, Siefker made a motion, seconded by Becker, to formally approve Ordinance 0326-26, the Amended Budget. The ordinance passed unanimously by a 3-0 roll call vote. Specific financial details, total appropriations, and the precise reasoning behind the budget amendment were not disclosed in the provided meeting minutes or agenda packet.

In addition to the budget, the board secured the continuation of its emergency medical response capabilities. Trustee Becker motioned to approve the 26/27 Metro Paramedic Services contract, with Siefker providing the second. The contract renewal was approved on a 3-0 roll call vote, ensuring the ongoing provision of paramedic staffing for the district through the next cycle.

The board also unanimously approved the March bills and the February treasurer’s report, which included financials, bank reconciliations for the checking account, and investment reports. The meeting moved swiftly, with the board adjourning at 7:24 p.m. after just 24 minutes of business.

Meeting Summary and Briefs:

The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees held a highly efficient, 24-minute regular meeting on Thursday evening to handle essential district legislation and hear departmental updates. Beyond the formal approval of an amended budget (Ordinance 0326-26) and the renewal of the 26/27 Metro Paramedic Services contract, the board received administrative reports outlining new equipment deliveries, significant training milestones, and emerging traffic concerns within the district. All action items passed unanimously in 3-0 votes due to the absence of two trustees.

New Brush Truck Arrives and Training Hours Logged
Deputy Chief Mike Heusing reported that the district’s new brush truck has officially arrived, bolstering the department’s off-road and wildland fire response capabilities. Additionally, Heusing provided updates on general vehicle and equipment maintenance, education, and candidates. He noted a significant training milestone for the department, reporting that firefighters have logged a total of 1,069 training hours.

Traffic Concerns Highlighted at Dixie Highway and County Line Road
During his monthly administrative address, Fire Chief Joe Falaschetti informed the board of a “growing concern” regarding the intersection of Dixie Highway and County Line Road. While specific accident data or mitigation strategies were not detailed in the minutes, the intersection was flagged as a priority issue. Falaschetti also briefed the trustees on the status of ongoing fire prevention and public education efforts, grant applications, uniform updates, station roof conditions, interactions with Franciscan Olympia Fields, and MABAS 27 operations.

Mental Health Program and Community Outreach
Assistant Fire Chief Tim McGannon updated the board on the ongoing implementation of the district’s mental health program and reported on recent community support follow-ups. During the trustee comment period at the end of the meeting, District President Margie Cook specifically thanked McGannon for his recent community outreach efforts, highlighting a fall prevention presentation he delivered at the local “Kicking It Back” program.

Temporary Officers Appointed for Meeting
Due to the absence of Trustee Dave Kolosh and regular Board Secretary Mike Waterman, the board had to appoint temporary officers to fulfill statutory requirements for the meeting. District President Margie Cook motioned to elect Trustee Lyle Siefker as temporary secretary and Trustee Bruce Becker as temporary treasurer. Both motions passed unanimously via roll call vote, allowing the board to legally approve the previous month’s minutes, the treasurer’s report, and the March bills.