Alfalfa, Ore. – Residents who rely on the Alfalfa Fire District for protection are learning that the district has yet to pay the roughly $165,000 it owes for new self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs. The equipment, ordered by former fire chief Chad LaVallee in December 2025, was publicly presented as being funded by a federal FEMA grant, but the vendor, MES/SeaWestern, says no payment has been received.
Invoice split and board controversy
According to MES/SeaWestern, LaVallee asked the company in August to split the original purchase order into two invoices – one for about $120,000 and a second, smaller amount. The larger invoice, dated August 25, was for $119,765. LaVallee told the vendor the larger portion would be paid “immediately,” with the remainder due around October.
Board member Mark Laucks pushed for urgent payment of the $119,765 invoice at the September 2 meeting, but the board’s attorney warned that the request violated proper agenda procedures. The board declined to act, and the invoice was later listed as “old business” for the September 9 meeting.
Former chief still involved
Although LaVallee resigned as paid fire chief on June 30, he continues to serve as the district’s “Training Director,” a role that appears to have been appointed by Laucks rather than the full board. The vendor says LaVallee remained the primary point of contact for collection efforts, using his district email and phone to negotiate the split.
LaVallee’s continued involvement comes amid two separate investigations: an Oregon Government Ethics Commission probe into alleged nepotism and misuse of district funds involving his wife, and an Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division inquiry into possible election‑law violations.
Financial oversight concerns
The Alfalfa Fire District has a history of delayed audits and questions about how public money is managed. The current dispute highlights the need for transparent budgeting, especially when federal grant money is cited as a source of funding. Families in Alfalfa depend on reliable fire protection, and any delay in paying for essential safety equipment could jeopardize that mission.
MES/SeaWestern confirmed that, despite the invoice split, the total order remains approximately $165,000 and that no payment has been received to date. The company has struggled to obtain clear responses from the district, describing LaVallee as a “middleman” between the vendor and the board.
Next steps
The unpaid invoice is slated for discussion at the September 9 board meeting. District legal counsel, Jered Reid, advised that the matter be addressed at a properly noticed meeting, emphasizing the importance of following procedural rules.
Community members and local officials are urging the board to resolve the outstanding balance promptly, ensuring that firefighters have the equipment they need and that taxpayer dollars – including any FEMA assistance – are used responsibly.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
