The Commissioner-elect of Public Health and Safety for the Clinton City Council says manpower on the Clinton Fire Department will increase rapidly.

Speaking after being elected Tuesday night, Dan Ballenger says he plans to boost the numbers in the department, get better participation and feels people are ready for a change.

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Ballenger also sits on the DeWitt County Board, and says he has been in touch with then-State's Attorney Karle Koritz prior to the election, about the idea of being on the Council as a conflict of interest. To this point, Ballenger believes there does not appear to be a conflict notes he has some projects with the County Board he'd like to see through.

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Along with fixing the fire department, Ballenger looks forward to working with his peers on the Council. He feels they are all good fits for each position and says “it's going to be fun”.

When it comes to the Police Department, Ballenger complimented Chief Ben Lowers and says they have things under control, and they don't need to be micromanaged.