The Village of South Russell council voted to adopt an ordinance approving a three-year fire protection and emergency medical services agreement with the Spring Falls Suburban Volunteer Firemen's Association, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, despite council members’ concerns about the contract’s cost and oversight.

The ordinance sets annual payments of $604,826.70 for the year beginning Jan. 1, 2026; $677,405.91 for the year beginning Jan. 1, 2027; and $758,694.62 for the year beginning Jan. 1, 2028. The third reading declared an emergency and authorized the mayor to execute the agreement on the village’s behalf.

The vote followed extended public council debate and comments from elected members and a representative of the fire association. One council member, who was not identified by name in the transcript, criticized the contract’s price increases and the process used to reach the agreement, saying the village had “followed none of the good practices we as a council have insisted upon” and that the agreement appeared to have been “negotiated in secret.” The council member added, “I will vote no.”

A different speaker who participated in council discussion briefly described the decision to approve the contract as made under pressure to ensure uninterrupted coverage for residents, saying the village would need to find the money by delaying or terminating other projects.

A representative of the Spring Falls Suburban Volunteer Firemen's Association addressed the council and said South Russell pays less than half of what surrounding Joliet County communities pay for fire and EMS protection and that the multi-community arrangement yields economies of scale. The representative added, “We would be happy to meet more frequently with you” and confirmed that the contract allows the village to examine the department’s operations: “Yes. Absolutely. And the contract does allow for examination of our folks at any time.”

Several council members and the unnamed speaker raised fiscal concerns about the fire association’s internal finances. The unnamed council member said they had been told the association projects an operating deficit of more than $600,000 for the current fiscal year and alleged the group used capital-reserve funds intended for major equipment purchases to cover operating shortfalls. That speaker said the association’s advisory board had not met for most of the previous contract term and questioned why there was not stronger oversight written into the new agreement.

Council discussion also noted that other member communities have already signed similar agreements; the fire association representative said all five partner communities had finalized contracts and that South Russell was the lone holdout. One council member said they had not received competing proposals from other providers and expressed concern about denying coverage to residents, and then called the question.

During roll call, Councilmember Val voted yes; Councilmember Berger voted no; Councilmember Canton voted yes; Councilmember Kavanaugh voted yes; and Councilmember Porter voted yes. The presiding officer announced the ordinance passed by voice and roll call before the council adjourned.

The ordinance as presented authorizes the mayor to execute the agreement and declares an emergency to make the contract effective Jan. 1, 2026. The transcript records no detailed implementation plan or budget offset tied to the village’s general fund; council members repeatedly requested more transparency and more frequent advisory-board meetings going forward.

The council’s recorded discussion combined financial objections, procedural complaints about how the agreement was negotiated, and assurances from the fire association about cost-sharing benefits of a multi-community arrangement. The transcript does not record any additional legal references, formal amendments to the agreement, or specific new revenue measures to cover the increased contract cost.

Votes at a glance
The ordinance (third reading) approving the three-year fire protection and EMS agreement with the Spring Falls Suburban Volunteer Firemen's Association — adopted (declared an emergency). Roll call: Val — Aye; Berger — No; Canton — Aye; Kavanaugh — Aye; Porter — Aye. The presiding officer announced the ordinance passed.