Residents of Warrenville may soon weigh in on a critical decision that could shape the future of their local fire protection district. A ballot question set for April 7 will ask voters whether the district's trustees should be elected or appointed. Currently, the three-member board is appointed by the DuPage County Board Chairman, a system that some argue limits citizen involvement.
William Mennell, the president of the fire protection district board and one of the leaders behind the petition drive, explained that this lack of direct voter input is concerning. "The people should have a say in who manages their tax dollars," Mennell stated. He emphasized that it was fellow residents—not the board itself—who initiated the effort to place the question on the ballot.
This issue comes at a time when regional cooperation in DuPage County has become increasingly relevant. In 2012, a consultant recommended exploring consolidations among fire districts to optimize services and save costs. While Warrenville was among the districts studied, the consultants concluded that Warrenville was financially sound and delivering high-quality service without the need for changes.
Despite this, County Board Chairman Dan Cronin remains skeptical of the current arrangement. Praised by Governor Bruce Rauner for his efforts to promote efficiency across county agencies, Cronin expressed concerns about the motivations driving the push for an elected board. He noted that over the years, county officials have encouraged greater transparency and accountability within the Warrenville Fire Protection District, yet these calls have largely fallen on deaf ears.
For instance, although the district eventually adopted the county's ethics policy, it declined to sign an intergovernmental agreement that would make adherence mandatory. Additionally, suggestions to join the West Suburban Fire/Rescue Alliance—an organization focused on enhancing emergency responses through collaboration—have been consistently rebuffed.
Mennell countered these claims, pointing out ongoing partnerships with neighboring departments aimed at sharing resources and improving service delivery. Kate Perkins, another advocate for the ballot initiative, echoed this sentiment, arguing that having appointed trustees could undermine Warrenville's ability to participate meaningfully in any future consolidation discussions. She argued that appointed trustees might prioritize pleasing the county chairman over serving the community.
While Cronin insists he cares less about the method of appointment than ensuring efficient operations, others fear that appointing trustees could lead to decisions driven by political considerations rather than public welfare. As the vote approaches, both sides are urging residents to consider how this choice impacts local governance and emergency preparedness.
For now, all eyes are on Warrenville as it navigates this pivotal moment in its firefighting history.
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