Mark Donnell, Chelan Fire Chief to retire

CHELAN - In a surprise announcement at the Chelan Fire & Rescue board of commissioners meeting on Wednesday, June 16, Chelan Fire & Rescue Chief Mark Donnell announced his wish to retire, and that he did not w to renew his contract with Chelan Fire & Rescue, which expires Dec. 31 of this year.
Donnell took over as the Interim Fire Chief for Chelan Fire & Rescue in August of 2019 and was later named chief, after Tim Lemon left to be the Fire Chief of North Whidbey Fire and Rescue.
The board also passed a resolution to put a Levy Lid Lift on the November 2 ballot. The district currently collects 80 cents per $1,000 of accessed property value. The board will ask for $1.10. They can ask up to $1.50 per $1,000. The increase will help pay for a third firefighter on each shift and for equipment.
The board heard from several people in attendance about the need for the fire department improvements, with all the housing growth that is happening in the valley.