An Otsego City Council member was hired as a Fire Cadet for the fire department she helped create. The move has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who see it as a conflict of interest. Council member Ryan Dunlap was the only vote against the hiring.
A council member on the payroll
The Otsego City Council voted 3-to-1 on Tuesday to hire 22 Fire Cadets at a rate of $16 per hour. The cadets will staff Otsego's first-ever Fire and Emergency Services Station at 14499 75th Street NE.
Council member Tina Goede was among those hired. Goede did not attend the meeting. She voted in favor of creating the Otsego Fire Department back in 2023.
"I believe the appropriate venue to address these matters is during the public discussion at the July 13 City Council meeting, where the full context can be shared transparently and directly with residents," Goede said.
The objections
Dunlap has been a vocal critic of the city's decision to build its own fire department. He opposed the hiring of Goede and all other cadet positions.
"I'm not here to argue whether this arrangement is legal. It may satisfy Minnesota state laws' technical requirements. But if the standard for government is just avoiding a statutory violation, then our standards are far too low," Dunlap said. "Can reasonable citizens look at this situation and conclude public decisions were made solely in the public interest?"
Otsego resident Gabe Davis spoke during public comments. He questioned why city staff did not reject Goede's application.
"I find this highly unpractical and unethical," Davis said. "If it looks funny, you don't do it, period, because it reflects badly on you...If she gets hired, (the residents) are going to question the integrity of the City Council and how it gets run."
The defense
Other council members defended Goede's hiring. They said it was not a conflict of interest.
"My comment will be that this position is $16 per hour. We have somebody willing to step up to continue to serve," Otsego Mayor Jessica Stockamp said.
Council member Corey Tanner added that no one was profiting from the arrangement.
"Nobody is getting rich off of this. Nobody is getting rich off of serving their community," Tanner said.
City legal staff said the situation does not necessarily constitute a conflict of interest. They noted extensive case law allowing mayors to serve on fire departments simultaneously. They said the key requirement is that a council member must recuse themselves from votes on topics that personally benefit them.
Otsego Fire Chief Jim McCoy said all candidates were asked the same interview questions. He said the department selected the candidates they felt would work best.
"(We picked) the ones we feel will work the best," McCoy said.
The bigger picture
The creation of the Otsego Fire Department has been contentious since its inception. Supporters say it is crucial for public safety as the city grows. They point to slower response times from the current contracted service with three neighboring cities.
Opponents say contracted service is sufficient. They argue the new station drove Otsego's tax levy up by 18% last December. The council funded the station's construction with a bond through the Otsego Economic Development Authority. That authority does not require a public vote.
The city hopes to have the Fire Station fully operational and staffed by January 2027.
Dunlap pushed back on the idea that Goede's service justifies the arrangement.
"If that's the case, then do it for free," Dunlap said.