Approval of the budget for 2020 was a major item on the agenda of the Dec. 11 meeting of the Falcon Fire Protection District Board of Directors. Board member Joan Hathcock came in late because of a previous meeting. Corey Galicia was present via conference call. All other board members were present.The 2020 budgetThe board approved an $18 million budget for 2020. This budget is comprised of four separate budgets: the general fund, capital projects fund, ambulance transfer fund and rural water system fund.The 2020 general fund budget is $10.7 million. Revenues for this fund come, in part, from fees, donations, reimbursements, volunteer pension state matching funds and grants. However, the largest source of revenue is taxes. While the mil levy on appraised property values remains the same at 14.886, revenues from taxes are expected to increase from an estimated $6.4 million in 2019 to $7.5 million because of increased property values. The general fund is used for administration, operations, maintenance, training and fire prevention and safety.The 2020 general fund budget is up from an estimated $9.2 million in 2019. This is due, in part, to an increased number of employees, resulting in increased salaries, benefits and insurance. The capital projects fund budget is up from an estimated $2.8 million in 2019 to $4.8 million in 2020. The increase is due, in part, to the planned construction of an administration building in 2020 and the purchase of a third ambulance. Revenues from this fund come from things such as transfers from the general fund and from the ambulance transfer fund, interest, lease purchase revenue, dividend income and capital sales. The ambulance transport fund budget is $2.4 million. Revenues for this fund come from transport fees, prior year collections, grants, transfers from the general fund and deposit interest. An estimated $1.1 million was expended in 2019 to start the ambulance service. The rural water system fund was originally funded by developers to build cisterns in areas that did not have water systems. Builders are no longer required to do this, so this fund is being used to maintain existing cisterns until it is depleted. There is currently $14,500 remaining in the fund.Treasurer’s reportAt the end of November, the year was 92 percent complete and expenditures in all areas were under budgeted amounts, said Chief Trent Harwig.Chief’s reportIn the first 11 days of ambulance service, Harwig said the district was averaging three transports a day. So far, no mutual aid had been requested. He said that Station 1 housed the busiest ambulance. A third ambulance will be purchased sometime in January. Harwig also said promotions from within for battalion chief would open up other positions for advancement. During November, there were 409 reserve standby hours.Administration buildingThe chief sent out four requests to contractors for preliminary pricing. He received three replies, ranging from $1 million to $1.3 million. He said Hammers Construction Company offered some changes to the preliminary plans that could lower the cost. After extended discussion, the board decided to call a special meeting for Dec. 18 to further discuss the administration building.Meeting dates for the new yearThe board approved meetings dates for the new year. Meetings will be on the third Wednesday of each month except the December meeting, which will be on the second Wednesday. Pension board meetings will be held in conjunction with the August and November board meetings.
