The Immokalee Fire District met on Friday, October 14 with four of the five Commissioners present. The one absent, Robert Halman, was traveling with his wife to attend the Community Redevelopment Association seminar in Orlando. The primary item on today’s agenda was the renewal of Chief Paul Anderson contract. Chief Anderson was hired four years ago. His first contract was a one year provisionary contract, followed by a three year contract that ends in March of 2017. They discussed renewing his contract until March of 2020. As it relates to salary, he is presently earning $98,598 per year plus incentive pay. His new salary will be $118,566.00 per year without incentive pay. How does this compare to the other Fire Chief”s in Collier County? There are five fire districts in the County: 1. Immokalee, with 35 firefighters plus 20 trained volunteers. 2. North Collier with 200 Firefighters, they also cover the Big Corkscrew Preserve. 3. Greater Naples with 179 firefighters, they also cover the Isles of Capri. 4. The City of Naples with 54 firefighters. 5. The City of Marco with 35 to 40 firefighters. Salary wise: 2. North Collier’s Chief earns $161.000.00 per year. 3. Greater Naples’ Chief earns $153,000.00 per year. 4. The City of Naples’s Chief earns $133,000.00 per year. 5. The City of Marco’s Chief earns $133.000.00 per year. All of these Districts cover about the same square miles of area with a difference of about 50 to 60 square miles. Only one Commissioner had concerns about his new contract. Commissioner Keene wanted a one year contract with no significant increase in salary. She did not understand that the only way taxes can increase, is for the citizens to vote for the increase. The new contract can not be signed until it has been reviewed by the District’s Attorney. which will happen before the District’s next meeting.