BENTLEY, Kan. — The Bentley volunteer fire department resigned Thursday, citing a diminishing budget and safety issues as the root cause.
Bentley Fire Chief Donnie Bean said the department was working on a dwindling budget, starting at $35,000 for the year, but was cut to $29,000 several months ago.
The chief said that several members have had to share the same set of turnout gear, and that 2017 budget cuts in the department were being discussed.
The department’s budget problems stem from a 2007 $1.4 million federal loan for real estate development that the town has struggled to pay back, KWCH reported.
“Financially, there’s no possible way,” Mayor Rex Satterthwaite said. “I don’t blame them at all, but that’s like major league trying to be in Wichita, we can only afford single A.”
The department’s decision to resign was made by members as a whole; one that Bean supported.
Despite the resignation, neighboring cities will respond to Bentley’s emergency calls.
“Sedgwick County is going to be involved to grow it from the beginning. Where we’re the kind of fire department that we can afford, that can still bring the protection to this town that they need,” Satterthwaite said.
The town will be meeting with other small town volunteer fire departments to discuss how to effectively manage their fire budget.