City OKs fire chief’s retire and rehire deal

Reappointment comes with pay cut

Tony Hutton is retiring after more than 30 years with Kirtland Fire Department.

But he’s not going anywhere. City Council recently approved legislation acknowledging his retirement and confirming his reappointment as chief. The retirement is effective May 3.

“(We) would then rehire him at a reduced rate, so it would be a savings to the city,” Mayor Kevin Potter said.

“I want to thank the chief for his willingness and commitment to the city, willingness to stick around, stay onboard,” he added. “Obviously, he’s been fantastic through this COVID-19 crisis. I see a lot of other chiefs and people from the (Lake County) Health Department reach out to our chief all the time because he is so organized and on top of everything related to COVID, and everything else.”

Hutton, 56, indicated that it was a mutual arrangement.

“I felt the time was right,” he said.

“The mayor and Council were in agreement.”

He took a 10 percent pay reduction for a total savings of $75,000 over the next five years. His new salary will be $85,213 annually.

“It will benefit the city during our tight financial situation,” he said. “I’m hoping to use the savings from my salary to promote additional officers in the future.”

He joined the department as a firefighter/paramedic in 1989 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1995. He was appointed chief in 2002, making him the youngest chief in Lake County at the time.

“Age is a factor in staying,” he said. “I am still relatively young, in good health and love the job.”

He lives in Kirtland with wife Wendy. They have two grown children.

“I love the community, the small-town environment,” he said. “KFD is all about helping others and providing the customer service we can.”

He recalls a saying of former Mayor Ed Podojil, who appointed him chief.

“He always used to say, ‘You are only as good as those around you,’ “he said. “I’m blessed to be surrounded by great people here in Kirtland and a great group of Lake County fire chiefs, past and present.

“I still feel I have a lot to offer to Kirtland, our firefighters and Lake County as a whole.”

Hutton also serves as one of the key planners for vaccine clinics at Lakeland Community College.

His goals going forward include working on succession planning at the fire department and to be “the best mentor I can be to the next generation of firefighters, officers and fire chiefs.”

Hutton