Excerpts from the Daily Herald:
A proposed ballot measure in Warrenville could determine whether fire protection district trustees are elected or appointed, potentially affecting the district's future involvement in consolidation efforts across DuPage County.
Voters will have their say on April 7 regarding how the three-member board of the Warrenville Fire Protection District is selected. Currently, these positions are filled by appointment from the DuPage County Board Chairman.
"As citizens, we have very little influence over who leads our fire district," said William Mennell, a local resident and president of the fire protection district board. "It's time people had a voice in who spends their money." Mennell was instrumental in gathering over 1,600 signatures to place the question on the ballot, emphasizing that the initiative comes from residents, not the board itself.
In 2012, a county-contracted consulting firm recommended exploring consolidation opportunities between DuPage County and local fire protection districts. Warrenville was one of the districts reviewed during the process.
However, the firm found Warrenville to be financially stable and capable of providing high-quality emergency services. Mennell argues that the district doesn't need to merge with others, stating, "Consolidation might work for some, but in Warrenville, we believe smaller can be better."
Despite this, DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin, who has been praised by Governor Bruce Rauner for his consolidation initiatives, questions the motives behind the ballot effort. He claims that county officials have worked to bring more transparency and accountability to the fire protection district in recent years.
"It’s no secret they’ve resisted those changes," Cronin said. He noted that while the fire district adopted DuPage’s ethics policy, it refused to sign an intergovernmental agreement that would make the policy enforceable.
Cronin also mentioned that the county has repeatedly encouraged Warrenville to join the West Suburban Fire/Rescue Alliance, which aims to improve response times and resource sharing. "So far, the district has shown no interest," he said. "They seem more interested in maintaining their own control."
"Whether the trustees are elected or appointed doesn’t matter to me," Cronin added. "What matters is that the district operates efficiently and safely."
Mennell countered that the district already collaborates with other fire departments to share equipment and services. Kate Perkins, a former trustee supporting the ballot measure, argued that Warrenville needs a voice in any future consolidation plans. "If we have appointed trustees, they’ll answer to Dan Cronin, not the community," she said.
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