The Falcon Fire Protection District held its monthly board meeting April 16 at the Falcon Fire Administration Building on 7030 Old Meridian Road. Joan Fritsche, attorney; Tom Kerby, assistant secretary; Ray Hawkins, treasurer; Dan Kupferer, vice president; Steve Podoll, secretary; Trent Harwig, chief, attended. President James Reid attended remotely.
March minutes
The board unanimously approved March minutes.
Treasurer’s report
Harwig presented the numbers through March 2025, representing 25% of the fiscal year.
The general fund was at 40% of anticipated revenues. Total expenses were at 24% of expected.
The ambulance transport fund was at 25% of the expected revenues. Total expenses were at 22% of expected.
The capital project fund had received 25% of expected revenues. Total expenses were at 15% of expected.
The rural water fund had no new activity.
The board unanimously passed the report.
Staff report
Chief Jeff Petersma presented the operations report.
There were 341 total calls in February and 725 for the year. Response times across all districts for February remained stable.
Petersma presented the EMS report.
There were 145 transports in March, with an average cash per trip of $1,057. Year-to-date showed 453 transports and a cash per trip of $799. The 24-month average was $643 cash per trip. With the supplemental Medicaid reimbursement, cash per trip was $837.
Lt. Curtis Kauffman presented the fire prevention report.
In March, there were 16 building inspections, one partial inspection, one underground hydro test and 10 electronic development application reviews. There were two fire investigations.
Kauffman presented the updated building and fire safety fee schedule. The pre-construction consultation fee was removed from the current fee schedule. New plan review fees included the following:
- Water tank for fire suppression at $500
- Underground fire line at $200
- Residential group R-3 home at $300
- Trip fees at $75 starting on third trip and each subsequent
- Battery storage systems for new single-family residential homes at $275
The first two will primarily apply to commercial construction. The residential group R-3 home fee would only be implemented if the department is required to do plan reviews for the buildings with the upcoming new Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code. The board unanimously approved the updated fee schedule.
Kauffman also said he began meeting in February with the newly formed El Paso County Fire Marshals Committee, which included all fire districts in the county, including the Colorado Springs fire department. The committee will be attending the fire chief’s meeting monthly and will be working together to negotiate with the state on the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and on implementing the 2021 International Fire Code to help standardize policies across the county. The committee will present the latter to the county commissioners later this year and will work on measures to help streamline future interdepartmental aid and collaboration.
Maintenance building update
Harwig said he received the certificate of occupancy; the final payment will be April 28. The maintenance building is up and running.
The board unanimously approved the final pay application No. 12.
Sheriff’s office substation update
Fritsche said the drainage pond easement has been recorded and they are waiting for the county to sign the maintenance agreement for the detention pond. Harwig said that Chief Roybal was agreeable to pouring the shared driveway in concrete. Kerby asked Harwig to follow up with Roybal on the specifics of this prior to moving forward with any pre-construction meetings.
Falcon fire department 50th anniversary
Petersma reported that invitations have been sent out, parking has been determined, food trucks have been organized and an agenda is nearing completion. The event will be held May 10 at 11 a.m.
Depreciation minimum amount
Harwig reported that during the current departmental audit, the auditor recommended increasing the minimum threshold for depreciable capital assets. Currently, any asset over $2,500 has gone onto the depreciation schedule. Because of the large number of items on the schedule, the auditor recommended raising that to $5,000. The board unanimously passed a motion approving the change.
The next board meeting is May 21.
Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection District
- Website: http://www.falconfirepd.org
- Facebook: Falcon Fire Department
- Twitter: @FalconFireDept
- NextDoor.com
