Denison residents will learn the outcome of a pivotal pension decision when the Denison Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Fund board of trustees convenes Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. in the council chambers of City Hall, 300 W. Main St. The agenda, posted Nov. 5, includes a vote on hiring the actuarial firm Rudd and Wisdom to conduct a special study on whether the fire chief position should remain in the firefighters’ pension plan. The study’s cost is capped at $5,000.
According to Denison Weekly, the board previously considered the same item at its Oct. 8 meeting. Minutes from that session record a lengthy discussion in which trustees Laurie Alsabbagh and Teresa Adams asked Interim Fire Chief C. Henderson for clarification on whether he intended to join the Texas Municipal Retirement System—a statewide plan covering many city employees—or stay in the firefighters’ fund. Henderson told the board he had not yet gathered all the information needed to decide, but expressed a preference to remain in the current fund.
Because trustees felt ordering the study might be premature, they voted unanimously to defer the decision to the November meeting. The upcoming vote will determine if the board proceeds with the $5,000 study, which could provide data on the financial impact of keeping the chief’s position inside the dedicated firefighters’ retirement system versus moving it to the broader municipal plan.
The issue follows recent leadership changes at Denison Fire Rescue. City Council’s Oct. 19 meeting marked the retirement of Chief Kenneth Jacks after five years of service. Council members praised Jacks for achieving an ISO 1 rating for the department and for restoring emergency medical services (EMS) under fire‑rescue control.
Board members and firefighters alike view the study as a way to ensure the pension fund’s long‑term solvency while preserving benefits for rank‑and‑file members. If the chief’s position were moved to the Texas Municipal Retirement System, contributions and benefits could shift, potentially affecting retirement security for the department’s personnel.
What’s next: After the Thursday vote, the board will announce whether Rudd and Wisdom will be contracted for the study. Should the study be approved, its findings are expected to be presented at a future board meeting, giving trustees and city officials data to decide on any changes to the pension structure for the fire chief role.
Sources: denisonweekly.news
