Hyde Park approves cooperative wildfire agreement; council records routine votes

The council voted to approve the city’s annual cooperative wildfire agreement with the state, a template agreement administered locally by the Smithfield Fire Department as the contracted fire provider. City staff explained the agreement chiefly memorializes the city’s in‑kind or small cash contribution and ensures state cost coverage during a wildland fire response; the city's calculated contribution dropped to $191 this year based on updated calculations and local training efforts by the fire provider.

Council member Stephanie moved to approve the agreement and Kirk seconded; the chair called the voice vote and announced the motion carried (recorded as 4‑0 after Stephanie was noted present). Marcus and the chief said past practice has been to execute the state's template with no city modifications and that the city has not historically needed a cash contribution for this agreement in recent years.

On other business the council recorded routine votes: approval of Feb. 23 minutes (motion moved by Dave Faust and seconded by Darryl; recorded in the meeting as 'Motion carries 3‑0'), approval of the amended agenda (vote recorded as 3‑0), and a motion to adjourn at the meeting's close. Staff also presented an RFP outcome for the city’s financial audit: two bids were received (Ritchie May, which had bought Allred Jackson, and a local firm listed in the RFP as Jones Simpkins LLC). Staff recommended the local firm based on lower long‑term cost; council members verbally concurred under the 'advice and consent' presentation but no formal recorded roll‑call was attached to that discussion in the minutes.

Council took no controversial policy votes at the March 11 meeting and directed staff to proceed with follow‑up items and routine work.