River Bend Times

The Maquoketa City Council approved various items regarding the fire department, notably increasing wages in an effort to attract more firefighters.

The council met on January 16 and approved putting the new rates at $14 per hour for certified firefighters and $12 for non-certified. This is a raise from the former amount of $10 for a certified firefighter and $9 for non-certified. According to City Manager Josh Boldt said the budget over the last two years has been just over $37,000 and the rate increase brings the department’s budget up to $43,000. This will help retain trained firefighters, as well as continue bolstering their recruiting efforts. and the pay rates for the department have not been increased in the last two decades. The department is partial volunteer and partial hourly pay.

“It's not perfectly volunteer like some other departments are doing, but at least that this is a short middle ground for us to maintain a fire department staff that's professional, that trains and is prepared to respond to fire,” Boldt said. “So, I think this is a good move. I do support it right at that budget line of $43,000. And I would say that, you know, if we have to keep recruiting to get our numbers up, I encourage chief, I encourage everyone in the fire department to continue doing so.”

The chief earns the most at an annual rate of $5,500, showing how low the salaries are for the officers. Some of the lower officer workers and safety officers make just $800 per year.

Earlier in the meeting the council also had their annual renewal of the staff listing. Chief Matt Tranel is remained chief stemming from an internal vote. The rest of the department is as follows: Assistant Chief: Carl “Al” Muhlhausen Deputy Chief: Peter Schueller Captain: Craig Muhlhausen Captain: Bjorn Beck Captain: Gregory Bopes Lieutenant: Robert Mitchell Safety Officer: Robert Lane Safety Officer: Mark Beck Training Officer: Rian Meyeres Secretary/Records: Bjorn Beck Fire Prevention Officer: Greg Bopes Maintenance 1: Carl “Al” Muhlhausen Maintenance 2: Cory Simonson Maintenance 3/Custodian: Zachary Collister.

The council also voted in favor of a joint agreement with Jackson County for a grant application to buy a new radio system for first responders.