The Lee County Hazardous Materials team is requesting increased financial support from the county.
The Pen City Current reports that Fort Madison Fire Chief Chad Hannum addressed the Lee County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, proposing that the county’s annual contribution be raised from $10,000 to $25,000. Hannum explained that the county’s current funding level amounts to roughly 30 cents per resident each year, while comparable support across Iowa typically averages closer to $1 per person.
Hannum noted that the existing funding agreement dates back to 2003, when the county committed to providing $10,000 annually. The county has maintained that contribution for the past 23 years.
According to Hannum, the county’s funding has been used to cover training, equipment, and operational costs. Participating cities, he said, continue to supply personnel as well as additional training resources.
