The Falcon Fire Protection District held its regular board meeting Sept. 19. All board members were present for the meeting.Public commentsTwo clients of G. J. Gardner Homes, along with G. J. Gardner representative Dennis Weets, attended the board meeting. There was some confusion during last monthís discussion about residential participation in the Rural Water System Fund in lieu of installing residential sprinklers or cisterns. The FFPD boardís approval was granted to a single residence; however, three owners of homes under construction requested to participate in the fund at the time. The three residential projects were the first of five to request approval to participate in the fund to date. FFPD legal counsel has been reviewing language for the RWSF agreement as it pertains to residential structures. The board approved the revised form and welcomed the new residents to the district.Director Bobby Sorden resignsFFPD Board Director Bobby Sorden submitted a letter of resignation effective Oct. 1. He is moving out of district and will be unable to continue serving on the board. The board agreed to post the vacancy as soon as possible, with letters of interest due Oct. 12.Treasurerís reportAs of Aug. 31, 67 percent of the budget year is complete, and the district is continuing to operate under budget. Insurance premiums have increased about 18 percent over last year. Other insurance providers will not provide quotes because of district losses over the past four years, including the claim of the stolen/wrecked water tanker. The district has increased deductibles to help keep premiums affordable, and is hoping to solicit quotes in a year or two.Chiefís reportChief Trent Harwig reported that FFPD has received a check for about $25,000 from the City of Colorado Springs to reimburse the district for expenses incurred during the Waldo Canyon Fire.The lateral transfer training academy will begin Sept. 29 for eight reserve firefighters.A meeting with the developers of Meridian Ranch has been scheduled Oct. 2. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the developer gift agreement prior to going before the county commissioners for a waiver of the county required fire commitment letter.Member handbookRevisions are still in process and should be completed before the October Board meeting. The board discussed keeping the document focused on policy rather than operations, which is a trend among fire districts, according to legal counsel. This should be the last comprehensive revision for several years. With the budget process beginning in October, the board agreed to a target approval date of January 2013 to allow time for thorough review by all board members.Strategic plan updateThe El Paso County Assessor expects a relatively flat revenue growth of about 1 percent for the 2013 property tax assessment year. As a result, FFPD will likely have less to spend operationally. After the January 2013 payment, FFPD will be two years away from paying off Station 1.Harwig will prepare a preliminary budget by the Oct. 15 statutory deadline. Budget input will be solicited from the battalion and division chiefs, including anticipated expenditures for the expanded training program. The board will then discuss the one-year strategic plan in November and December.2009 International Fire Code updateComments from the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs are still pending but expected by Sept. 28.Health & Wellness committee updateThe objective of the committee is to ensure all emergency personnel have the opportunity to stay healthy and fit to minimize risks from firefighting activities. In the past, grant funds were used to make a variety of health tests available to FFPD members. The board discussed building health and wellness into the culture of the organization and tabled further discussion until January 2013.
