The Mokena Fire Protection District Board of Trustees formally adopted its budget and appropriation ordinance for the 2025-2026 fiscal year following a public hearing. With no members of the public present to comment, the board unanimously approved the spending plan, which includes funding for firefighter cancer screenings.

The board also confronted rising operational costs by approving renewals for several major insurance policies. The district’s property and liability insurance renewal came with a 14% rate increase, while its workers’ compensation premium rose by 5%. The district’s cyber liability policy, however, renewed at a flat rate.

The district also secured its financial operations by approving a new two-year banking agreement with Old Plank Trail. The contract locks in an Earning Credit Rate of 0.50% through July 2026, which Fire Chief Joe Cirelli called a “good” outcome in a volatile market.

Board Leadership Stays the Same
Following a recent election, the Board of Trustees voted to keep its leadership positions unchanged for the new term. The motion to reappoint the current officers was made by Trustee Craig Warning and approved unanimously, maintaining stability on the board.

Job Descriptions Approved for Top Chiefs
The board gave its final approval for the job descriptions for Fire Chief and the recently created position of Deputy Fire Chief. The unanimous vote formalizes the duties and responsibilities for the district’s two highest-ranking command officers, a follow-up to last month’s administrative restructuring.

Truck 92 Sidelined for Major Repairs
The district’s Truck 92 is out of service for an extended period for an engine repair. Additionally, Chandler Services is evaluating corrosion on the truck and preparing a repair estimate. In other apparatus news, Engine 92 received a new rear brake chamber for $850, and Engine 93 had its steer tires replaced for $2,500.

Station 2 Door to be Replaced
Trustees approved the replacement of a non-operable steel service door and frame at Fire Station 2. The corrosion and age of the door necessitated the repair, which will be completed by Preferred Window and Door at an approximate cost of $4,350.

Ambulance Remount Update
The district’s ambulance remount project is in its final stages. The exterior emergency lighting has been installed by Emergency Vehicle Technologies (EVT), and miscellaneous interior trim work, heat and air conditioning termination, and electrical system programming were scheduled to be completed this week, with a final inspection to follow.