Council increases annual fire relief benefit from $3,400 to $3,600

The St. Joseph City Council voted to raise the annual fire relief benefit from $3,400 to $3,600 following a presentation by the Relief Association.

Keith Wojde, president of the Relief Association for the fire department (speaker 14), reviewed the association's special fund and asked the council to increase the benefit level. "Last year or this current year, we are at 3,400 per year of service," Wojde said, adding the association recommended raising the amount to $3,600.

Councilors discussed whether a council member who serves on the fire department should recuse from the vote; the city's legal counsel (speaker 6) said past practice in other cities has often allowed such members to vote after vetting, while another councilor recommended stepping aside to avoid the appearance of a conflict.

A motion and second to increase the annual contribution from $3,400 to $3,600 carried on a voice vote.

Next steps: the fiscal impact will be administered through the established Relief Association process and any operational questions are to be handled by staff and the association.