Rusty Palmer will remain as the chief of South Whidbey Fire/EMS for the next three years.

Commissioners approved the three-year, $100,400 contract last week. The contract has the same benefits as Palmer’s previous deal, but with two additional weeks of vacation time. Previously, Palmer had two weeks of vacation and two weeks of undefined “executive time,” which was not used. Executive time was retitled for vacation, with a tiered structure for an additional week in the second year and two more weeks in the final year.

“I am very grateful to the commissioners for the time,” Palmer said in an email.

Moving and housing expenses were removed from the contract that was originally approved in 2010, when Palmer was hired from a wildlands district in Wyoming.