Fire chief appeals to Littlefork Council, By FAYE WHITBECK, Staff Writer

Although much of the labor to improve Littlefork’s expanded and renovated Fire Hall has been donated by its work force, the fact that the cost has now climbed over $100,000 captured the Littlefork City Council’s attention Thursday.
Dan Wendt, fire chief, was in attendance to solicit further funding from the city, in the range of $5,000-$10,000 for the completion of some projects in the building.
“We’ve reached the point where our donated man hours aren’t enough anymore,” said Wendt.
But Mayor Jerry Anderson said that while he didn’t want to minimize that donation of labor, he was disappointed. Fire department officials had earlier claimed that the initial $100,000 would bring a renewed hall to the community without any raised taxes.
“That was our understanding with the last money and now you’re back,” said Anderson. “Somewhere along the line, we’re going to say no. There has to be a limit somewhere.”
Wendt explained that further materials were needed to complete a meeting room which includes handicap access. Wendt was asked what the number was to get the hall functioning.
“Ten thousand dollars would be generous. I don’t see too much else, but there will be other issues — like the apron to the street and things like that,” Wendt replied. “This ($10,000) would make a vast improvement and opens it up to use for training. All of the time has been donated time.”
Anderson reiterated that the labor donation was the fire department’s original choice when it proposed that $100,000 would prevent the necessity to raise any taxes. “We still have to answer to taxpayers,” Anderson said. “Now the building’s torn apart and you need another $10,000.”
Anderson said he thought the fire department should explore its own budget again.
Administrator Mike Fairchild asked, “Can you amend your budget and find $2,000-$3,000 of your money there?”
Wendt replied that the department “absolutely shaves” their budget and that any remaining money would be needed in the future.
“Past history shows you may have money at the end of the year,” said Fairchild.
Wendt responded: “This year’s budget will be different; we’ve spent thousands more on fuel. We’ve done everything financially we can. We have to keep some funds for critical functions”
Councilor Rob Polkinghorne said the fire department may have to shuffle things around to reallocate money. Councilor Noel Schroeder commented that the department did save the taxpayers a lot of money.
The councilors all agreed that Wendt should return in a month after a closer examination of the department’s budget.
Wendt urged anyone who has questions about where the money is going, to come and have a look. “It’s only to do what’s necessary,” said Wendt. “To make the building nice, and for people to use.”
The department previously borrowed $100,000 which was supplied with a combination of money from the city’s liquor store, economic development, and sewer funds, according to Fairchild. The loan included built-in payments which are also fortified with grants received by the fire department over a period of three years from the Koochiching Development Authority.
The Littlefork Fire Department’s taxing district of about 4,000 properties is also overseen by rural directors, a city director, the city council and the county board. Rural directors are Judy Gielarowski, Dennis Lagergren, Ron Fiedler, Mike Eilers and Jim Rasmussen.