Huntley Area fire board hopefuls clash over trustee pay

Trustee pay has emerged as a central issue in the race for two 6-year seats on the Huntley Area Fire Protection District board.

Sean Smith is challenging two incumbents - John Davis and board President Milford Brown.

Smith has criticized his opponents for their $3,000 annual salary, saying the money could be better spent to improve the fire district.

"Just because you're in a good financial position doesn't mean you should pay the trustees like that," Smith said. "Maybe it's more important to pay a firefighter than trustees."

If a proposed bill passes the Illinois General Assembly, fire board trustees could further boost their pay - as long as they complete three, 4-hour classes that cover issues relevant to fire districts.

Smith said he would not support increasing trustee pay for certification.

"I think trustees should get certified," Smith said. "Should they get a raise because of it? My answer is no. I think there's a better way to use that money."

The incumbents say their compensation is in line with the amount of hours they log for the district - attending numerous meetings on labor issues, firefighter pensions, land acquisition and other topics germane to the fire district.

"I don't think we're overcompensated because of all the time we put in," Brown said.

Brown said he was undecided on whether to raise trustee pay for certification.

"I can't say I'm going to vote for it or against it because I don't know what the bill says," Brown said, adding, "Whether or not we receive a raise is immaterial. What's important is we know what we need to know to protect the public."

Davis said he would support a pay raise for trustees who complete the classes.

"Being certified is a way to justify, in the state's eyes, increasing the pay," Davis said.

Smith also blasted trustees for accepting clothing bearing the fire district logo.

"I don't see why a trustee can't pay for that out of their pocket," Smith said. "It doesn't look good."

But the trustees said the apparel serves as their uniform when they are representing the fire district and that the estimated $225 cost of the items per trustee is not an unreasonable expense.

"We're representing the district," Davis said. "The district should pay for it."