The Falcon Fire Protection District held its monthly board meeting Sept. 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.
August minutes were unanimously approved without discussion.
Treasurer’s report
Harwig presented the numbers through August 2024, with 66.6% of the fiscal year complete.
The department has received 100% of the budgeted general fund revenue. Harwig expected this to increase because he intentionally underestimated the backfill from SB 238, since they weren’t aware of how much they would get from the state. They ended up getting more than expected. The department also received more from interest bearing accounts and more than expected from specific ownership taxes. All of the above contributed to the projection that revenues would reach over 100% of expected revenues this fiscal year. Total expenses in the general fund were at 64% of the expected amount.
The Ambulance Transport Fund was at 73% of expected revenues. Total ambulance transport fees were at 66% of expected revenues. Total expenditures were at 52% of the expected amount.
The Capital Project Fund has received 76.6% of expected revenues.Expenditures were at 20%, with ongoing maintenance building construction. The Rural Water Fund had no new activity.
The report was unanimously passed without discussion.
Staff report
Chief Jeff Petersma apologized for not having the operations report available because of a scheduling issue with today’s meeting.
Petersma presented the emergency services report.
For August, there were 158 transports with total revenues amounting to almost $55,696, which is low. However, in the last 24 months, they had two similarly low months that eventually balanced out. Hawkins requested a follow-up with the billing company about discrepancies in the numbers. Year-to-date showed 1,073 calls with total revenues of $653,000, with a cash per trip of $608.58. Twenty-four month totals showed 3,243 transports at $614.97 cash per trip. With the supplemental Medicaid reimbursement, this increased to $887.93.
Harwig reported that the recently received Medicaid reimbursement totaled $522,927, a $50,000 increase from last year because of increased transports and costs. He also said that the department requires roughly $3,300,000 to break even. Currently, the department generates half of this with the rest of it being made up by tax revenue.
Lt. Curtis Kauffman presented the fire prevention report.
Through August, there were 14 building inspections, 16 follow-up inspections, five new projects, seven fire finals, one underground fuel system and five EDARPs (Electronic Development Application Review Program). Three Firewise evaluations were done and all passed. The department is still awaiting updated fire codes from the state.
On the attorney report, Jean Fritsche presented a chart identifying the provisions of Senate Bill 233 and House Bill 24-B1001; the latter recently passed in the special session in August. Mike Collins, as sole nominee, was accepted as volunteer trustee for the pension board, beginning Nov. 1.
Harwig said the house bill that passed in August resulted in about $1,000,000 less in revenue; and, with the growth from property taxes, it will result in a net $526,427 decrease in the general fund budget. The most recent growth from property taxes currently is 4%, beneath the growth cap of 5.25% set by the recent legislation. This growth cap was designated to be a two-year average.
Harwig said this shortfall was anticipated. According to the politicians, it is expected to be stable for the next five years. The board discussed that the ultimate effect of recent legislation on the department remains tenuous and for now will still result in a 10% decrease in the budget next year and has resulted in a drop in funding to the fire district. Whether this deficit will lead to ballot measures for local taxes to make up the difference remains to be seen and will ultimately be up to the voters to decide.
Maintenance building update
Harwig presented Hammers Draw Request No. 5 for an amount of $414,713. The next three months will include higher amounts because 90% of the building will be built during that time. The Change Order No. 4 was presented for $9,022, paying for the bedding material needed due to construction hitting a waterline.
Draw Request No. 5 and Change Order No. 4 were unanimously approved without discussion.
Sheriff’s Office substation update
According to Fritsche and Kerby, they are still awaiting legal descriptions for the easements from the Sheriff’s Office, which included that the district will be responsible for maintaining the retention pond but will bill the county for their half of the expenses. Kupferer expressed concern that the nature of this agreement could leave Falcon liable in the future.
Falcon Fire Department 50th Anniversary
The board tentatively scheduled an open house event in June of next year to mark the 50th anniversary.
Board meetings are usually held on the second Wednesdays of each month at the Falcon Fire Administration Building.
Website: http://www.falconfirepd.org
Facebook: Falcon Fire Department
Twitter: @FalconFireDept
NextDoor.com
