Item 5.1.E. Part Time Firefighter Cadet Positions Hiring
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Fire Fire Chief McCoy June 22, 2026
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Fire City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
Assistant City Administrator/Human Resources Hille
5.1 (E) – Hiring Approval
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
X Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a
cost-effective manner.
X Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommend the City Council approve the hiring of Part-Time Firefighter Cadets.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
City staff are requesting the City Council approve the hiring of Part-Time Firefighter Cadets. The 2026 General Fund
Budget includes hiring approximately 20 Part-Time Firefighters during 2026. The previous Emergency Services
Director’s staffing plan identified the hiring of these positions with start dates in September 2026, which was
accounted for in the budgeting process.
Interim Fire Chief Scott updated the City Council at a previous meeting on January 26, 2026, and provided a
recommendation to move the hiring timeline earlier in the year. This recommendation was based on training
requirements and safety equipment procurement timelines to have these firefighters fully trained and equipped prior
to January 2027. On February 9, 2026, at the City Council meeting, the job description was approved, and staff was
authorized to begin recruitment for the Part-Time Firefighter positions.
This position has its wage scale included within the City’s Seasonal and Temporary Pay Plan with a range of $16.00 to
$25.00 per hour. This range accommodates firefighters still in the training period and those with more experience and
is reflective of pay scales for similar positions in neighboring communities. To ensure the City can receive state
funding for the training, the roster needs to be approved by July 1, 2026.
The City received 98 total applications for the part-time positions including applicants who live within Otsego and
from areas throughout the Metro Area. City staff conducted interviews of 30 applicants, focusing the initial interviews
on residents of Otsego.
City Staff are recommending the City Council approve the hiring for 22 Part-Time Firefighter Cadets, which are listed
below:
• Inna Bak
• Jaxson Bean
• Gabriella Bengs
• Dawson Bicknese
• Bryant Billehus
• Kyle Blazek
• Ava Boxwell
• Brynna Brutger
• Kyle Dahlheimer
• Tina Goede
• Charles Goyer
• Samantha Hanson
• Keith Huber
• Hunter Lindquist
• Cullen Loughlin
• Eric Lundquist
• Lila Schermeister
• Kara Simonson
• Angelo Tweed
• Myles Lefebvre
• Justin Meyer
• Brad Werbowski
All candidates have completed the required application, interview, and have either completed or partially completed
all the pre-employment medical screening, drug screening, background check, and psychological evaluation. These
hirings are all contingent on successful completion of all pre-employment screens, which include medical evaluation,
drug screen, background check, and psychological evaluation.
After completion of all required fire and emergency medical training at satisfactory levels, individuals will be eligible
to be hired as Part-Time Firefighters. Those who pass will be presented at a City Council meeting for potential hire
into the role, City staff anticipate that timing to be late in 2026.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• None
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to approve the hiring of 22 Part-Time Firefighter Cadets presented above at an hourly rate of $16.00 per hour.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
General Fund – Fire Department (42200)
Yes. However, the change in hiring timeline is not fully
accounted for in the General Fund as presented and
discussed at the February 9, 2026, meeting.