Highwood may supplement manning with contract personnel (more)

The city of Highwood, Illinois, is currently exploring a new approach to bolster its fire department by partnering with a private firefighting company. While the move has raised some concerns, officials are emphasizing that public safety will remain their top priority.

City Manager Scott Coren explained that financial constraints are driving this decision. With a limited tax base covering less than one square mile, the city is struggling to maintain current services while also investing in infrastructure improvements. "We need to keep our costs under control so we can fund essential projects like street and sidewalk repairs," he said. Mayor Charles Pecaro echoed these sentiments, noting that Illinois’ unstable financial climate requires the city to operate more sustainably, especially with rising pension and workers' compensation expenses.

This isn’t the first time Highwood has turned to private contractors. Services such as snow removal, park maintenance, building inspections, payroll, and even police dispatching have long been outsourced. Now, the city is considering extending this model to its fire department.

"Outsourcing has worked well for us in the past, and we believe it can do so for fire services too," Coren said. "We will set strict hiring standards and ensure all contractors meet the necessary certifications."

The goal is to save money that can be redirected toward much-needed infrastructure upgrades. "We’ve had to raise taxes before to cover these costs," Coren said. "If we don’t make smart decisions now, future tax increases are inevitable. We must use every dollar wisely."

Thanks, Chris

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