Board approves chief and district administrator raises

SEELEY LAKE – At their June 16 meeting, the Seeley Lake Fire District Board of Trustees approved pay increases for Fire Chief Dave Lane and District Administrator Lynn Richards. Captain Michael Richards also shared details about the Fire Foundation Pancake breakfast that is scheduled on the Fourth of July in compliance with the Missoula City-County Health Department regulations.

Lane proposed a seven percent raise for Lynn Richards. This is twice the increase recommended by Missoula County and would be nearly a $2,500 increase for the year.

Richards will have been with the Department for 13 years in November. She has responded to more than 30% of the calls in 2020 and she doesn’t respond afterhours because of the law that she would have to be paid overtime.

Lane said that while she has done a great job ever since he was hired, this year she has gone above and beyond helping him apply for grants.

“This is a very active grant year. I didn’t do all the work myself. Lynn has been a big part of that. We were successful in getting quite a few of those and I think with the extra work that was done, the positive outcomes, that is why I made the suggestion,” said Lane.

The board felt that while Richards continues to do a good job for the District and they want to recognize that, a seven percent raise was too much. They unanimously approved a five percent raise for Richards.

Lane proposed an 11% raise for himself. He started at $50,000 and was given a raise after six months and a 15.5% raise last year.

Lane said he has made changes to the budget. They are currently 50% over last year’s ending budget for EMS billing which is about $80,000. He responds to over 80% of all the calls and is a paramedic.

Chair Scott Kennedy said they are trying to bring the chief’s salary up to something more comparable to similar departments. He felt he has really proven himself with all the grants and increasing the revenue for the department.

Trustee Jon Kimble said that in his research, chiefs make between $63,000 – $78,000. Lane is on the low range and he is willing to bring him up closer to the middle range if that was the plan when he was hired.

Vice Chair Gary Lewis said there was no target pay rate set when Lane was hired. While he feels Lane is doing a good job, an 11 percent increase is a lot for one year. Trustee Connie Clark agreed and added that it would set an unsustainable precedent for the future.

Kimble motioned to the 11 percent increase to bring him to 50 percent of the pay scale. While it was seconded by Kennedy. Vote was tied so discussion continued.

Lewis motioned for a nine percent increase adding that was substantial. Motioned passed.

The Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Foundation will host their annual pancake breakfast on the Fourth of July. The event was approved by the Health Department with modifications. Michael Richards explained that food will be prepared inside the building and tables will be outside. Tables will be set eight feet apart with six seats per table. Attendees will not be in contact with the servers.

The pancakes, sausages and eggs will be served in to-go boxes. Juice will be available in juice boxes and silverware will be wrapped. No coffee will be served because it is impossible to deal with filling cups and have all the separate condiments and comply with the COVID-19 regulations.

“It’s going to be a little bit of a challenge, but I hope it will be a shining spot in this town on the Fourth of July,” said Michael.

The cost is $7 per person and children under the age of five eat free. There will be a 50/50 raffle but no other raffle bags because the Foundation didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask businesses for donations during such a challenging economic year. All proceeds will support the Fire Foundation, the 501(c)3 associated with the Department.

In other business:

• Lane reported that the department has run 98 calls through the end of May. This is down nine calls from 2019 at the end of May.

• Lane said many of the department’s EMTs are working on endorsements. They currently have 21 members and two new members. Lane invited the board to be part of a public ceremony where the new members will receive their badges.

The next board meeting is scheduled for July 21 at 6 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall. For more information and the agenda visit seeleyfire.org.