New Huntley Fire Protection District Chief Scott Ravagnie to earn $140K

HUNTLEY – Huntley Fire Protection District Chief Scott Ravagnie will earn $140,000 a year in his new position.

Ravagnie was sworn in Tuesday after a Village Board meeting where his contract was approved. He is replacing former Chief Ken Caudle, who continues to earn a salary of $119,240 while on leave.

Ravagnie’s contract began Nov. 1 and runs until April 30, 2019.

He will earn a base salary of $140,000, and on May 1, 2018, the board will review his salary based on consumer price index and merit, according to the contract. Ravagnie said he previously earned $132,500 as deputy chief.

As fire chief, Caudle’s salary was $149,074 for the 2017-18 budget year, Ravagnie said.

The district is conducting an ongoing investigation about Caudle into something officials won’t talk about.

Caudle submitted a letter of resignation to the board Aug. 11, returned to his last commissioned rank of battalion chief and was placed on administrative leave, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Moving past an ongoing investigation into Caudle is one of Ravagnie's goals for the district, he previously said. He also hopes to find a new location for the district's main station and will be looking at response times for the residents, he said.

In Ravagnie’s contract, he will have 30 days of vacation each year, 10 sick days and three bereavement days.

Ravagnie must inform the board of his intent to seek secondary employment outside of the district and must devote his time, energy and attention to serving as chief.

He is allowed to continue ownership and services of Kona Ice, a truck he helps his wife, Sherry, run that sells gourmet frozen treats.

The district will provide Ravagnie with a vehicle and pay for insurance, fuel, maintenance and repair, according to his contract.

Ravagnie also is required to complete the Fire Officer III program by April 30, 2019.

Ravagnie has worked for the district since 1992, moving up the ranks over the years. He grew up in Huntley and has lived there since 1986.

“I started my career here in Huntley; I got paid on call and went through the ranks,” Ravagnie has said. “It’s been pretty cool. I’m very excited, and it’ll be a good challenge.”