FFPD December meeting
Falcon Fire board approves 2026 budget
The Falcon Fire Protection District held its monthly board meeting Dec. 10 at the Falcon Fire Administration Building, 7030 Old Meridian Road.
Board members and staff in attendance were Joan Fritsche, attorney; Tom Kerby, vice president; Ray Hawkins, treasurer; James Reid, president; Dan Kupferer, assistant secretary; Steve Podoll, secretary; and Fire Chief Trent Harwig.
November minutes
The board unanimously approved the November minutes.
Treasurer’s report
Harwig presented financials through November 2025, representing 91.8% of the fiscal year.
The general fund stood at 101% of anticipated revenues, with total expenses at 89% of expected.
The ambulance transport fund showed 104% of expected revenues, which included the state EMS Medicaid supplemental reimbursement. Total expenses were at 84% of expected.
The capital projects fund had received 100% of expected revenues, with expenses at 26% of expected. Harwig said the additional $1.5 million lease purchase would be made within the next few days.
The rural water fund had no new activity.
The board unanimously approved the treasurer’s report.
Staff reports
Deputy Chief Jeff Petersma presented the operations report. There were 373 total calls in October and 3,637 calls year to date, with 2,915 calls within the district. The district is projected to have 248 more calls in 2025 compared with 2024. Average response times across all districts remained stable.
EMS Chief Jon Webb presented the EMS report. In November, there were 209 calls, with 151 transports and an average cash per trip of $540.91. Year-to-date figures showed 1,637 transports with an average cash per trip of $650.53. The 24-month totals included 3,400 transports with an average cash per trip of $658.86, increasing to $738.62 when the Medicaid supplement was included.
Lt. Curtis Kauffman presented the fire prevention report. In November, the department conducted 14 building inspections and 23 follow-up inspections. Additional activity included 11 partial, rough or final fire inspections; one underground hydrostatic test; one pre-construction meeting; and three electronic development application reviews.
2021 IFC adoption with local amendments
Harwig said no feedback was received from the public or the Housing and Building Association regarding the posted amendments. The board unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the new code.
2026 budget hearing
There was no public comment.
Harwig presented the proposed 2026 budget. The district expects to receive $11,672,125 in property tax revenue and $1,085,000 in specific ownership tax, along with an additional $300,000 in interest income. Harwig noted that interest income is expected to decrease next year as rates fall.
Proposed salary costs at 100% staffing, including a 4% cost-of-living increase, total $5,225,000, with benefits totaling $2,093,000. Workers’ compensation insurance costs increased by $44,000. Harwig said he plans to meet Jan. 15 with insurance advisers to discuss cost-control options.
In 2026, the district plans to transfer $2.6 million from the general fund to the capital projects fund and reduce transfers to the ambulance transport fund by $200,000. The ambulance transport fund currently holds about a one-year reserve.
The projected general fund balance at year’s end, assuming a balanced budget, is $7,729,053. This includes a $200,000 contingency that was not used in the previous year.
Ambulance transport fees are projected at $1,284,000. The district budgeted 50% of expected Medicaid reimbursement funds, or $250,000, due to uncertainty in state reimbursements. A $500,000 transfer to the capital projects fund is planned, with the ending balance projected to decrease from $3.7 million to $3.082 million, reflecting adequate funding. Total expenditures for the fund are expected to be $3.6 million.
The capital projects fund is projected to receive $3.1 million in transfers from the general fund and ambulance transport fund. Significant planned expenditures include payments toward the lease-purchase agreement, vehicles and land for a future training center. Total expenditures are projected at about $4.1 million if all planned purchases are completed. Historically, not all planned projects are completed within the year, and any remaining funds would roll over to the following year. The ending fund balance is anticipated to be $1,000,158.
Hawkins confirmed with Harwig that ambulance transport fee projections are based on prior-year call volumes.
Harwig presented resolutions to adopt the 2026 proposed budget, appropriate the funds and set the mill levy at 14.886 mills, unchanged from the current year. The board unanimously approved all three resolutions.
Harwig also presented the 2026 pay, leave and allowance schedule, which includes a 4% cost-of-living salary increase and a 5% increase in health insurance costs. Kerby noted that Denver-area comparisons showed a 3% increase and asked whether district salaries remained competitive with similarly sized agencies. Harwig said salaries were generally competitive, with some exceptions, but noted that a formal comparison has not been conducted in recent years and would be completed next year.
Kerby said the increase reflects the board’s appreciation for department staff. The board unanimously approved the schedule.
Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection District
- Website: http://www.falconfirepd.org
- Facebook: Falcon Fire Department
- Twitter: @FalconFireDept
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