The Falcon Fire Protection District held its regular board meeting Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. at the meeting room of the new Falcon Fire Administration Building located at 7030 Old Meridian Road. Directors Thomas Kerby, Ray Hawkins and Mike Collins were present. Dan Kupferer teleconferenced in, and Cory Galicia was absent. Also present were Fire Chief Trent Harwig and attorney Joan Fritsche, legal counsel for the district.Public commentThe meeting room was filled with firefighters, current and former, charter membersand families for the dedication and swearing-in ceremony held at the beginning of the board meeting. A former volunteer inquired about what happened to the original building, which housed the administration headquarters. Harwig said the original building is still standing, and is generally covered up. Harwig listed changes and updates to the building, including the switch from well and septic to central water and sewer. Kerby pointed out the many original features that were retained.An audience member asked about types of calls the FFPD receives. Harwig said about 80% of all calls received are medical calls and are handled by three in-house ambulances. Both Harwig and Kerby expressed their appreciation for all the contributions of volunteers, the original charter members ó four of whom were present and acknowledged by a round of applause. Harwig mentioned that, like the organization itself ó as large as it has gotten over the years, the new building has been built on the backbones of the original volunteers who completed the fire station in 1980.New headquarters dedication and swearing-in ceremonyThe new administration building is almost complete and is now occupied. Collins conducted the dedication of the building. He introduced the commemorative plaque that will be mounted on the building wall and read the names of the individuals listed. One of the five district chaplains, Dick Glasgow, blessed the building and the personnel. Harwig performed the swearing-in ceremony for eight firefighters and paramedics, with family members and friends assisting by pinning the badges on.After the ceremony, Harwig updated the directors on the progress of the finishing touches on the administrative building. One of the rooftop units arrived and will be installed pending Colorado Springs utilities installing a riser. Two remaining RTUs are either in transport or scheduled to be shipped. Signage was installed on the building. Harwig said there is some landscaping work scheduled. The fire station had a new concrete walkout installed, and concrete has been poured around the hydrant. The condenser in the IT room has been installed. Harwig said the building is substantially completed, and he confirmed the building is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.Treasurerís reportHarwig presented the treasurerís report. He said that 75% of the fiscal year was complete as of Sept. 30. The general fund had received 98% of budgeted revenues; expenditures across the categories were at 69%. The Ambulance Transport Fund has received 97% of budgeted revenues; and, across all expenditure categories, the expenses are at 57%. The capital projects fund is at 76% revenue. All revenues in this fund, with the exception of dividends and interest, are transfers from other funds. The total expenses across all categories are at 48%. That will remain low because there is $1.5 million projected expenditures for maintenance of the building that did not happen this year.Staff/operations reportsPetersma presented staff reports. There were 340 calls for service in August for a total year-to-date of 2,820 calls ó 2,105 were in the district and there were 715 mutual/automatic aid calls to other districts. The EMS year-to-date collections averaged $558.81. Petersma also reported that the Medicaid reimbursement received will be factored into the cost per trip amount for calls taken in that time frame.FAMLIRequired notices and posters are posted in each facility and went out by email to everyone regarding the Family Medical Leave Act. Fritsche provided proposed wording for two resolutions for the directorsí review for next monthís meeting. Harwig said employees were encouraged to go to the FAMLI website to use the premium calculator and educate themselves about the program and available benefits. At the next meeting, the board will vote on the level of participation in the program. Then a notice will go out to employees with the decision and details.Preliminary budgetHarwig stated that statutorily the board is required to receive a preliminary budget for 2023 by Oct. 15. It is also posted on the door of the administration building for public review and comment. He stressed that it is a proposed working budget subject to future changes prior to the budget hearing at the December board meeting. The total revenues, including property tax, transport fees, interest, etc., are anticipated at $10,303,184; the proposed expenditures are at $11,368,306. Each individual fund budget has $200,000 in contingencies except for the rural water fund. Historically, contingencies were never used.Highlights for the general fund: Harwig said there are no grant monies anticipated; property tax revenue is expected to be $8,256,522, almost $200,000 less than last year. Salaries include a 5% cost-of-living raise, as well as step increases for the majority of the employees. Workersí compensation rates increased nearly 60% because of claims in the district, and the total workersí compensation expense nearly doubled because of increased fees and salaries. The 2023 budget includes $20,000 for director elections. After the proposed maintenance building, there are no long-range plans for another fire station or another building. Harwig said the capital projectsí fund budget was strong, and he encouraged discussion about purchasing a needed ladder truck.Kerby asked whether the budget for utilities was enough. Harwig agreed it might need to be increased. Kerby also brought up the ladder truck purchase and agreed it should be specifically included in the budget, because of the increased number of tall homes in the area, which cannot be reached by the trucks the district currently owns. Harwig mentioned that he did not have an actual ladder truck cost estimate available at this time but was hoping to get at least one quote prior to the budget meeting in December. He said the cost of apparatus significantly increases every year, regardless of inflation. Harwig said he wanted to proceed with the ladder truck purchase sooner rather than later.Attorney reportFritsche asked about the pension plan administration. Harwig responded that pensions are fully administrated by the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado. Fritsche suggested updating the bylaws and increasing the number of the districtís pension board members. The directors further discussed bylaws and requirements for new pension board members.The next meeting is Nov. 16. Check out the website for more information.Stay connected with the Falcon Fire Protection DistrictWebsite: http://www.falconfirepd.orgFacebook: Falcon Fire DepartmentTwitter: @FalconFireDeptNextDoor.com
