Fort Madison, IA – The future of Fort Madison's fire department could be determined later this month.
Mayor Steve Ireland says the city council will hold a special meeting October 23 to try to work out issues such as funding, overtime, safety, and staffing levels.
The move comes as aldermen discuss trimming the city's spending plan by cutting the fire department's budget.
Ireland says the council has discussed several options: moving to minimum shifts of three firefighters, replacing full-time firefighters with volunteers, or cross-training police officers.
In the last 18 months, residents have rejected two ideas to bring more money into the general fund.
Additional Information
* The Fort Madison City Council voted not to replace a firefighter in an effort to fill a budget hole this fall.
* The city tried to find volunteer firefighters earlier this year... two interested people attended the public meeting.