Kellnersville board adopts formula tying fire-department contract increases to shared-revenue gains

The Village of Kellnersville board on Jan. 12 approved a formula to set future annual increases for the Kellnersville Fire Department that ties the department's raise to the village's percentage change in shared revenue.

Trustee Scott Totten moved to adopt the calculation method and Trustee Theresa Shimek seconded; the motion carried unanimously. Under the method the board illustrated an example using estimated shared-revenue figures for 2026: an estimated $114,056.50 is $3,750.27 higher than 2025’s $110,306.23, a 3.4% increase. The board calculated 3.4% of $3,750.27 would equal a $127.51 increase applied to the fire-department contract for 2027.

The board said the starting 2027 rate would reflect the 2026 rate plus the calculated increase. The motion approving the calculation instructs that the same percentage method be used for 2027 and future annual contracts. Board members present voted unanimously to adopt the method.

Bill Fogeltanz of the Kellnersville Fire Department was in attendance; the board said the fire department will discuss the proposed calculation method and return to the February meeting to accept the method or request changes. The board did not adopt a final 2027 contract amount at the Jan. 12 meeting; it approved only the calculation method.