By Jon Huang
The Falcon Fire Protection District held its monthly board meeting Nov. 20 at the Falcon Fire Administration Building on 7030 Old Meridian Road. Joan Fritsche, attorney; Tom Kerby, assistant secretary; James Reid, president; Dan Kupferer, vice president; Steve Podoll, secretary; Trent Harwig, chief, attended. Treasurer Ray Hawkins attended remotely.
The board approved the October minutes.
Pension Board Meeting
The board approved the minutes from Nov. 15. Elected Officers Michael Collins and Lt. Curtis Kauffman of the volunteer pension board were unanimously approved. Harwig presented the quarterly report for the volunteer firefighter pension fund, which was healthy, showing $26,000 in investment income in the last year on top of the $72,340 in state and district funding (the district funds $61,000 of the $72,340). The pension paid out to volunteer firefighters with at least 20 years of volunteer service is currently $675 a month. Based on last year’s actuarial study, the current funds would support $700 a month. The board discussed and unanimously agreed to raise the monthly payment to $700, which would increase district yearly contribution to $65,000.
For the 2025 pension plan actuarial study, Harwig requested the pension amounts the board wanted to study. The board proposed $730, $760 and $790, which represented roughly 4% increases, a rough estimation to account for cost-of-living adjustments. This was unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s report
Harwig presented the numbers through October 2024, representing 83.3% of the fiscal year.
The general fund was at 102% of the anticipated revenues. General fund total expenses were at 73% of the expected. Harwig said he expects to stay under budget for the rest of the year.
The ambulance transport fund was at 96% of the expected revenues; 82% of the ambulance transport fees expected had been received. Total expenditures were at 64% of the expected amount. Harwig said this will remain under budget for the rest of the year. The capital project fund had received 77% of expected revenues. Total expenditures were at 33%. The rural water fund had no new activity. The board unanimously passed the report.
Staff report
Deputy Chief Jeff Petersma presented the operations report. He did not have current numbers because he pulled the wrong date. There were no concerns in non-ambulance aid received or given.
Petersma presented the EMS report. There were 139 transports in October with an average cash per trip of $625. There have been 1,348 transports year-to-date, with an average cash per trip of $603; 24-month total collections were at $618 cash per trip. With the supplemental Medicaid reimbursement, this increased to $871. Hawkins requested that an updated collections statement be obtained from the billing company; Petersma agreed.
Kauffman presented the fire prevention report.
Through September, there were 25 building inspections, 32 follow-up inspections, one new project, two fire finals, and 13 El Paso County Electronic Development Application reviews.
Maintenance building update
Harwig presented Hammers Draw Request No. 7 for an amount of $293,166; it was unanimously approved.
Sheriff’s office substation update
Fritsche has yet to receive the easements — legal descriptions from the county sheriff’s office required to allow them to start construction on fire department property. Because of the delay on getting these issues addressed, Fritsche planned to follow up with the deputy county attorney, and Reid said he planned to call Sheriff Joe Roybal.
Falcon Fire 50th anniversary celebration
Kupferer suggested having coffee cups and T-shirts to sell at the anniversary event, and proposed adding the celebration to the finalized budget proposal to be discussed in December.
Resolution 11-20-24-1 proposal
Harwig said the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado updated their policies this year, allowing the fire district to provide matching contributions for employees enrolled in the Defined Retirement Option Plan. Currently, the district provides matching contributions to employees enrolled in the general pension plan, but they were not matching those enrolled in DROP.
Enrolling in DROP requires employees to retire within five years and transfers their retirement contributions during this five-year period from the general pension fund into an individual retirement account. This option appeals to close-to-retirement employees who, because of their length of service, have already maxed out the time that goes toward their defined pension plan. Funding DROP would allow the district to continue contributing toward the participating employee’s retirement account.
The resolution allows the district to fund DROP participants beginning with a 10.5% matching contribution and increasing by .5% until reaching a 13% max in 2030.
The board unanimously passed this resolution.
Board meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Falcon Fire Administration Building.
FFPD safety tips for the holidays
- Do not overload extension cords or power strips.
- Use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.
- Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the fall and spring.
- Never use your oven as a heating source.
- Never leave candles unattended, and do not place them next to any combustible items.
- Keep driveways and walkways clear of snow and ice.
- Have your chimney professionally cleaned prior to use.
- Do not burn wrapping paper in your fireplace.
- Do not drink and drive.
Joseph Cosgrove
A-shift Battalion Chief
Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection District
- Website: http://www.falconfirepd.org
- Facebook: Falcon Fire Department
- Twitter: @FalconFireDept
- NextDoor.com
