Tontitown, Fire Department Split Difference

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

— A compromise at Tuesday’s meeting between the City Council and the Tontitown Area Fire Department opened the door for the organization to eventually become part of the city government.

The compromise decided how the money the city gives to the department would be used.

“It’s a baby step but it is a step,” said Alderman Bobby Pianalto.

The city allotted $130,000 to the department in the city budget approved by the council Thursday. The meeting was to decide how much of the money would be used for department salaries and benefits and how much for equipment.

The department is a nonprofit entity that provides firefighting services to the city and some rural areas. Most of the firefighters are volunteers but some are full-time paid workers.

The compromise would allow the department to spend $115,000 on salaries and $15,000 on equipment. The city would receive an equipment title for whatever percentage of the equipment its money purchased.

The city is looking to own more firefighting equipment before it is required to have its own fire department. Tontitown will be required by state law to have a Fire Department when it becomes a first-class city.

Cities in Arkansas are classified as first class when their population reaches 2,500. Tontitown’s population was 2,460 in the 2010 U.S. Census. The population is expected to go over the limit in the 2020 Census.

“The city should have a seven-year plan,” said Jack Larson, department board member. “Then it would be ready to make the switch.”

Alderman Clint Penzo proposed a split with $100,000 for salaries and $30,000 for equipment to be city owned. Paul Colvin, department board chairman, offered $120,000 and $10,000. Pianalto first proposed the compromise that was initially ignored.

The proposal and a contract amended by the department would have to go before the city’s attorney, Penzo said.

The department’s budget has become tighter after losing some of its rural area to neighboring city fire departments, Larson said. Some people in those areas paid membership dues to the Fire Department.

“The Elm Springs annexation cost us $10,000,” Larson said.

Both sides have the best intentions for Tontitown and the surrounding area, said Alderman Mike Zulpo, who was fire chief at one time.

Colvin supported Zulpo’s statement.

“If someone calls 911 for a fire, we’ll get the trucks there if we have to push them there,” Colvin said.