Manhattan Fire Trustees Extend Chief Contracts Through 2029

Chief Steve Malone
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | Dec. 15, 2025
Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees voted to extend the contracts of both the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief for an additional year, securing leadership through early 2029.
Leadership Contracts Key Points:
-
Chief Steve Malone and Deputy Chief Dave Piper both received contract extensions until Jan. 1, 2029.
-
Both contracts include a 3% salary increase.
-
The Deputy Chief’s contract was updated to mirror the Chief’s regarding “115 trust contributions.”
The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Monday, Dec. 15, approved contract extensions for the district’s top two administrators, securing their leadership positions for the next four years.

Deputy Chief David Piper
The board voted unanimously to extend the contracts of Fire Chief Steve Malone and Deputy Chief Dave Piper. Both agreements were extended an additional year, now running through Jan. 1, 2029. Under the terms approved by the board, both Malone and Piper will receive a 3% salary increase.
During the discussion regarding Deputy Chief Piper’s contract, it was noted that a section of the agreement had been updated to mirror the Chief’s contract specifically to include “115 trust contributions.”
The motion to approve Chief Malone’s contract was made by Trustee Bill Weber and seconded by Trustee Brian Hupe. The motion for Deputy Chief Piper’s extension was made by Hupe and seconded by Trustee Nick Kotchou.
Latest News Stories
Lincoln-Way West Rallies to Edge Lincoln-Way Central in 10-8 Victory
Sandburg Edges Lincoln-Way West in Tight Conference Duel
EXCLUSIVE: The Oversight Project calls for investigation into Fusus, Oak Brook contract
Will County Executive Committee Recommends 600 MW Pride of the Prairie Solar Project in 6-5 Split Vote
Aging Systems and Judicial Mandates Drive Significant FY2027 Budget Requests for Will County Courts and Sheriff
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for May 5, 2026
Debate grows over bill on gender, abortion care access in child placement
Lawsuit: D300 secretly gender transitioned student; Seeks to nix IL gender ‘guidance,’ too
IL biometric privacy suits say tech companies used broadcasters’ work to train AI
Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows 8% of Cook County offenders on electronic monitoring AWOL
GOP congressional candidate calls single-stream recycling a ‘sham’
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee for May 5, 2026
Will County Legislative Committee: Pushes Forward with Ban on Cryptocurrency Kiosks