When it was time Monday for council to consider adopting by-laws of the Eureka Springs Fire Department, Mayor Butch Berry brought in Fire Chief Nick Samac, who explained that working alongside the municipal fire department was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rural fire association. Samac said the rural unit has purchased nine different pieces of equipment that ESFD uses, and firefighters work together in urban and rural emergencies.
Alderman Kristi Kendrick pointed out the by-laws before them do not relate to ESFD, a city department. She claimed the by-laws were for the nonprofit, and for internal business of the rural fire association, so moved to remove the stipulation council had to approve these by-laws.
Alderman were beginning to talk about the protocol when alderman Bob Thomas moved to table the discussion until the city attorney, who had left the meeting, was present. Everyone agreed.