FFPD December board meeting

The Falcon Fire Protection District held its regular monthly board meeting Dec. 13. All directors were present. Richard Shearer, legal counsel for the district, did not attend but was available by telephone.Treasurerís reportFire Chief Trent Harwig reported that the fiscal year was 92 percent complete as of Nov. 30. The general fund had received 101 percent of anticipated revenue. Harwig said, ìWe are and will remain under budgetî in the general fund, even with significant expenditures planned before the end of 2017. As a result, the budget will not need to be amended.Harwig noted that an increase in special ownership tax revenue, which is generated through vehicle registrations, was likely because of residents replacing a large number of hail-damaged vehicles.Incident statisticsAs of Nov. 30, FFPD had received 2,250 calls for service, which represented a 20 percent increase over the same period last year. The monthly call volume has been 200 or more since May 2017.Reserve standby hoursReserve firefighters logged 132 standby hours in November. One station was ìbrowned outî for a half-shift on Thanksgiving when staffing coverage wasnít available.Meridian Road/Highway 24 intersectionIn anticipation of work beginning in 2018 on the intersection of Old Meridian Road and U.S. Highway 24, Mountain View Electric Association performed a utility location at FFPD Fire Station 3. Relocation of the existing electrical pedestal will require an additional 20 feet of new service line.A county-owned alley runs between the Station 3 property and a residential property to the northwest. This alley was originally platted as part of the town site of Falcon. Since fire Station 3 was built right on the property line, the board discussed possible outcomes and options if the county decided to vacate the alley. Harwig will follow up on this item to see if the fire district can obtain the alley property since it is used primarily by the district.Deputy Chief Jeff Petersma has been exploring options for traffic signal controls for emergency apparatus. Director Dan Kupferer asked if a signal should be installed at the fire apparatus ramp on Old Meridian Road since drivers are ignoring the current signage and road markings. Harwig said the new intersection configuration would negate that need.Harwig said the 2018 budget includes replacement of the entire Station 3 parking lot. According to county plans, Old Meridian Road will be graded and lowered, and curbs and gutters will be installed. A development plan for the parking lot project is under way.2018 budget hearingThe FFPD 2018 proposed budget includes items discussed at recent board meetings that support the following:

• 18 emergency response vehicles and a new fire engine to be delivered in 2018
• 24 paid full-time firefighter/EMTs
• 10 paid part-time firefighter/EMTs
• Full-time fire chief, deputy chief and administrative assistant
• Part-time training captain and public information officer
• 15 reservists (estimated)
• Capital projects
• Contributions to the volunteer pension fund
• Operations, grounds, buildings and maintenance

Harwig said three full-time firefighter/EMTs will be hired in May or June. Depending on what the budget looks like, three more could be added later in the year.The volunteer pension plan will be funded at $30,000 instead of the previous amount of $20,000.Harwig said he hopes that building and grounds maintenance will be less than it was in 2017. He also said vehicle maintenance costs should decrease when the new engine goes into service.The amount budgeted for truck-mounted equipment includes tools and equipment for the new engine as well as equipping a reserve engine.The training budget includes emergency medical technician classes for new reservists.The fire district will transfer $650,000 from the general fund to the capital projects fund. Anticipated expenditures from this fund include the annual Station 4 lease purchase payment; funding for sewer, water and parking lot improvements; the remaining balance on the new fire engine; and the remaining balance for new mobile data computers ordered in 2017.Harwig said the 2018 budget spends about $120,000 to $125,000 more than the anticipated revenue amount, but he feels it will be sustainable as adjustments are made throughout the budget year.The board approved resolutions to adopt the 2018 budget, appropriate sums of money to fund the budget, and set the mill levy at the existing 8.612 mills.The approved 2018 budget can be viewed on the FFPD website: http://falconfirepd.orgPay, leave and allowance scheduleThe board voted to approve the 2018 pay, leave and allowance schedule, which includes a 3 percent cost of living increase for current district employees. Part-time firefighter wages will increase to $12 an hour to reflect future minimum wage increases.TABOR election consultantThe board directed the chief to invite a TABOR election consultant to make a presentation to the board at the January meeting. The consultant will provide information related to a potential mill levy increase to fund additional firefighters and an ambulance service, among other possibilities.Fire chiefís contractThe board went into executive session to discuss Harwigís contract.