Fire District makes leadership change

There was a sudden change of leadership for a local fire district Tuesday.

The Central Coast Fire District dismissed its chief Tuesday night and then approved a 25 percent raise for its Business Services manager. Out: Fire Chief Jeff Maxwell. The salary raise went to Nancy Dannhauser.

The board gave no reason for Maxwell’s dismissal. He will remain as chief through October 21, when he will begin receiving a severance package worth nearly $98,000.

Critics of the move wonder where the money will come from. In contract negotiations the district – which serves Capitola, Live Oak and Soquel – initially asked firefighters to accept salary cuts of 18 percent. The two sides recently agreed to a 9 percent raise.

The union representing firefighters is hoping more leadership changes will follow. Four seats on the district board are available in the November 8 election. The union endorses a slate of newcomers.

Tonight, KION’s Matt Sizemore reports on the chief’s dismissal and tells us what might lie ahead for the fire district.