In late 2021 Commissioners recognized that the Fire District was being governed by the Board of County Commissioners sitting at the Fire Board when none of the five Commissioners lived within the Fire District. As they explored options for alternative boards or councils they decided to support a steering council that would have advisory responsibility for almost everything involving the Fire District.
To sit as a member of the Steering Council each individual must own either a residence or business that pay Fire District property tax.
- Five members have been appointed from the largest cities in the Fire District; Bel Aire, Goddard, Haysville, Maize, and Park City.
- One member is appointed by the Sedgwick County Association of Cities. One member is appointed by a major manufacturing company within the Fire District (Spirit Aerosystems).
- Two at-large members represent the unincorporated areas of the Fire District.
The Steering Council will be advising the BoCC on issues regarding pay plans, operational staffing levels, station locations, etc.