The Falcon Fire Protection District held its regular board meeting Jan. 18 at the new Falcon Fire Administration Building at 7030 Old Meridian Road. Directors Thomas Kerby, Dan Kupferer and Cory Galicia were present. Ray Hawkins, Mike Collins and attorney Joan Fritsche, legal counsel for the district teleconferenced in. Also present was Fire Chief Trent Harwig.Treasurerís reportHarwig reported that 100% of the fiscal year was complete as of Dec. 31. The General Fund had received 103% of budgeted revenues. Expenditures across the categories were at 95%. The Ambulance Transport Fund has received 136% of budgeted revenues. The 36% over budgeted revenues consisted of $167,000 over in the transport fees category and $389,000 from Medicaid reimbursement. Across all expenditure categories, the expenses were at 83% ó $425,003 under budget. The Capital Projects Fund was at 101% of budgeted revenue. Total expenses across all categories are at 58%, as a result of not building the maintenance building in 2022. There was no activity in the Rural Water Fund for the entire year; this fund ended with a balance of $11,145.Staff/operations reportsDeputy Chief Jeff Petersma reported that the department had 371 calls in November bringing the year-to-date number of calls to a total of 3,839. Reserve hours dropped in December due to the holidays.EMS Division Chief Jon Webb said there were 143 transports for December bringing the annual total to more than 1,700 transports. Total year-to-date collections without Medicaid reimbursement were $968,495.76, cash per trip of $568.89. The breakdown by payers shows that Medicare and Medicaid represent the largest portion of the departments collections combined 64%, followed by private payers 23%, patients 11% and auto insurance 2%. The rolling 24 months average is $691.32 cash per trip and 3,122 total calls.Harwig added that the FFPD is working with most fire districts in the county on the adoption of the 2021 Fire Code. He said there is a regional approach with other districts wanting it to be a county code. For the most part the district is following the city of Colorado Springs amendments, even though they have more amendments that the district will adopt.Administration buildingHarwig reported that iiConn Construction sent the District a draw request for a final payment showing 100% completion of the administrative building. Kerby raised a question regarding the legal ramifications of accepting the proposed draw request given a few outstanding items. Fritsche responded that preferably the wording should be amended to reflect 99% or so completion, and pointed out the delay of the discussion in relation to the date of the submission of the draw request. The issue of a gas line needing to be replaced and the hookup of the backup generator was discussed as the main outstanding item. The directors also discussed details of the one-year warranty on the project. A motion to approve the pay request subject to revision was approved.Increase of future contribution ratesHarwig explained the issue underlying the resolution to increase future employee and district contribution rates to retirement plans. He pointed out that he is the only person this resolution affects at this time. He explained the procedures and differences between the defined benefit plan and the FPPA (Fire and Police Pension Association) Statewide Money Purchase Plan. The directors approved the resolution to increase the contribution percentages from 8% to 12% for the Money Purchase Plan.Executive sessionThe meeting was followed by the executive session.Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection DistrictWebsite: http://www.falconfirepd.orgFacebook: Falcon Fire DepartmentTwitter: @FalconFireDeptNextDoor.com
