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
Advisory Committee Debates Rigor of Online Summer School Options
Group Presents Allegations of 2024 Voter Roll Errors to County Board
Manhattan Fire District Hires Three Full-Time Paramedics, Reports Progress on New Station
Will County Board Advised on Strict “Judicial” Role Ahead of Landfill Expansion Application
Land Use Committee Rejects Shorewood Solar Farm Despite 25-Year Lease Offer
Trustees Renew Federal Lobbyist Contract Following $800,000 Funding Win
Executive Committee Advances $28.7 Million BNSF Bridge Project for Lorenzo Road
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District for January 26, 2026
Land Use Committee: ‘Clean Fill’ Proposal Stalls After Unauthorized Tree Removal Sparks Environmental Concerns
Manhattan School District Approves Tax Abatement and Fund Transfers
Contracts Approved for New West Principal and District Technology Director