Board electionsDan Kupferer, who has 40 years with the Falcon Fire Protection District, both as a firefighter and a board member, was appointed on Sept. 9 to fill an empty seat on the board. Kupferer will finish out the term of Cory Galicia, who resigned last month because he had taken a job in another part of the state. The board advertised for applicants to fill the position, and only Kupferer applied. His current term will end in May 2022. Ray Hawkins was elected as treasurer.Treasurer’s ReportìAll funds are under budget on expenditures, and we are doing real well on our revenues as well,î said Chief Trent Harwig. As of Aug. 31, the fiscal year was 66 percent complete. He said the general fund is at 90 percent of revenue and 56 percent of expenditures. The ambulance fund is at 49 percent of revenue and 42 percent of expenditures. The capital projects fund is only at 23 percent of revenue because funds have not yet been received for the lease purchase agreement on the new Fire Station 3. That fund is currently at 33 percent of expenditures. However, expenditures will increase when construction begins on the new fire station. The rural water fund is at 23 percent of revenues and 21 percent of expenditures.Large number of calls for AugustDeputy Chief Jeff Petersma reported that there were 72 reserve hours for the month of August, and the total number of calls for that month was 266. Ambulance calls made up the bulk of that total, with 106 transports ó the most transports since the ambulance service began on Dec. 1 of last year. Several accidents and multiple transports contributed to the high number of transports.The board viewed a video from the Colorado State Fire Chiefs organization that explained how certain initiatives on the November ballot could affect funding for fire protection districts. ìThere is a real chance we will see a reduction in revenues in coming years,î Harwig said in response to the video. The board decided to link the video to the district website for the benefit of residents.Construction projectsHarwig said there will be no more construction at the intersection of U.S. 24 and Old Meridian Road, until they complete the new Meridian Road and U.S. 24 intersection. However, he said it remains to be seen how operations will be affected when the new roundabout on Old Meridian Road opens.The county has approved the exterior work on the new Fire Station 3, Harwig said. In coordination with that project, Hammers Construction will begin pouring curbs and gutters. The plat for the new building has been approved.Other businessShiloh Mesa had applied for exclusion from the district since the area is in the city. Attorney Joan Fritsche said the district does not have to take action because the city will take the lead.After conducting a public hearing, the board voted to include Crosswords North, a proposed commercial development into the district. Harwig said currently that property is not in any fire protection district; and, for the county to approve development, it must be located in a fire protection district. The property is west of Marksheffel Road and south of U.S. 24.The board gave Harwig permission to open a money market account for the lease purchase money for the construction of Fire Station 3, and he will report how the draws against that account will be used for construction.The next board meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Fire Station 3 on Old Meridian Road. It can be seen on zoom by going to https://zoom.us/j/731479999.
