By Jon Huang
The Falcon Fire Protection District held its monthly board meeting Dec. 11 at the Falcon Fire Administration Building on 7030 Old Meridian Road. Joan Fritsche, attorney; Tom Kerby, assistant secretary; Ray Hawkins, treasurer; James Reid, president; Dan Kupferer, vice president; Steve Podoll, secretary; Trent Harwig, chief, attended.
The board approved November minutes without discussion.
New paramedics
Vincent Kegley, Cassandra Newbill, Michael Rockett and Schasny Osteroos were sworn in as new paramedics.
Treasurer’s report
Harwig presented the numbers through November 2024, representing 91.73% of the fiscal year.
The general fund was at 103% of the expected revenues ($440,759 over) because of larger than expected funds received from the Senate backfill measures. Total expenses were at 88% of expected.
The ambulance transport fund was at 115% of the expected revenues ($460,842 over) because of the Colorado Medicaid reimbursement, which was not included in the original budget. Total expenses were at 72% of expected.
The capital project fund had received 101% of expected revenues ($49,398 over) because of higher-than-expected deposit interest. Total expenses were at 38% of expected.
The rural water fund had no new activity.
The board passed the report unanimously without discussion.
Staff report
Chief Jeff Petersma presented the operations report for October 2024.
There were 361 total calls in October. Year-to-date totals were 3,410 calls, with 2,731 of them for the Falcon district alone. Response times for October remain stable. Harwig notified the board that this past month, he reached an agreement with the Black Forest deputy chief that they will aid with the nearest ambulance responses.
Petersma presented the EMS report.
There were 124 transports in November. Year to date had 1,472 transports with an average cash per trip of $605.60; the 24-month average was $622.31 cash per trip. With the supplemental Medicaid reimbursement, cash per trip was $865.96.
Lt. Curtis Kauffman presented the fire prevention report.
Through November, there were 20 building inspections, 31 follow-up inspections, one fire finals and 10 electronic development application reviews.
Maintenance building update
Harwig presented Hammers Draw Request No. 8 for an amount of $275,193, which was unanimously approved. He also proposed change order No. 5 to refund $1,156 to polish the concrete in lieu of putting down planking for the break room and bathroom. Both measures were unanimously approved.
Harwig expects two more draw requests in January and February.
Final proposed budget for 2025
Harwig notified the board of a change in the actuarial study projections for the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado Fund resulting in a 2.5% decrease in the long-term investment interest rate, which was within the realm of possibility, according to the actuarial study. As a result, he requested an additional $11,500 contribution from the general fund.
As for the 2025 proposed budget, Harwig’s proposal showed total available funds of $19,465,454, of which about $7,167,294 will be rolled over to 2024 funds, leaving a total operating revenue of $12,500,000.
In the general fund, operations, which included salaries and benefits, showed a 4% increase in cost-of-living expenses for staff. Estimated salaries totaled $5,000,000, with estimated benefits at $1,000,650. Among notable changes, there was a total increase in workers compensation of $122,700 over the last two years. There was a decrease of $650,000 and $400,000 in contributions to the capital project fund and ambulance transport fund, respectively. This was to offset the expiration of the senate backfill funds. Harwig anticipated a balanced budget for the upcoming year provided they do not use the $200,000 contingency in each of the funds, which last year went unused.
For the ambulance fund budget, in addition to the $2,490,000 brought in from transport fees and general fund transfers, Harwig included a Medicaid reimbursement of $525,000. As far as expenditures, there were no notable changes to the budget and it showed a balanced budget. Hawkins was leery of projecting the full Medicaid reimbursement because of the state’s budgetary uncertainties but was OK with leaving it for now. Harwig explained that additional funds could be drawn for the general fund if Medicaid reimbursement unexpectedly fell through; regardless, they had sufficient reserves to cover any shortfalls for the upcoming year.
As for the capital project fund, which continues to receive its revenues from outside sources, $2,600,000 will come from the general fund and $530,000 will come from the ambulance transport fund, in anticipation for a new ambulance. He does anticipate using the additional $1,500,000 that has been rolled over the last few years on the lease purchase, once the bank interest rate falls close enough to the current interest rate.
There was no public comment on the proposed budget. The board unanimously approved the budget.
The board proposed three budget resolutions and unanimously approved them all without discussion. The first was to adopt the 2025 budget. The second was to appropriate the sums of money with the $11,500 increase contribution to the FPPA fund. The third resolution was to pass the mill levy at 14.886 mills. The board also unanimously approved the 2025 Pay Leave and Allowance Schedule, 2025 board meeting posting notice and a resolution approving the 2025 regular meeting schedule.
Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection District
- Website: http://www.falconfirepd.org
- Facebook: Falcon Fire Department
- Twitter: @FalconFireDept
- NextDoor.com
