The Falcon Fire Protection District held its regular board meeting Sept. 25. All directors were present except for Greg Heule, who participated via conference call. Attorneys Alan Call and Richard Shearer, legal counsel for the district, were also present.SDA conferenceDirectors Henry Allen and Kelly Starkman attended the 2013 Special District Association of Colorado Annual Conference held Sept. 18 through Sept. 20 in Keystone, Colo.Treasurer’s reportTrent Harwig, FFPD chief, reported that the fiscal year is 67 percent complete. The district has received 96 percent of its anticipated revenues. Expenditures are on target at 66 percent. Harwig noted that the district still has some outstanding expenses, including attorney fees, Mountain States Employers Council investigation expenses and the cascade air system replacement. Improvements to the station 3 living quarters have been postponed. However, the doors and frames between the living quarters and the apparatus bays will be replaced because they are old and do not seal, which allows vehicle exhaust to seep into the living quarters.Harwig anticipates that the district will remain within budget through the end of the year; but, he said, ìThere will be tight restrictions and controls in place to make that happen. We’re really going to have to watch our expenditures for the last quarter.”Chief’s reportAll district apparatus is in service and available for emergency response. All facilities are in good working order with the exception of some outstanding repairs such as the replacement of damaged drywall at station 6.As of Aug. 31, there were 1,423 alarms, an increase of 264 for the same period in 2012. Response times are slightly higher over last year, but Harwig said that is typical when call volumes increase.2009 International Fire CodeVernon Champlin gave an overview of the districtís two-year effort to adopt the 2009 International Fire Code and recommended the board move forward on the matter. The board voted unanimously to pass the resolution, which states that the existing 2003 IFC will remain in effect until the county commissioners approve, and FFPD implements, the 2009 IFC. Shearer said that state statutes protect jurisdictional codes such as the 2003 IFC, and the county cannot supersede the state on that matter.(For more information, see Lindsey Harrisonís article ìFire code issues still unresolved.î)2008 member handbookHarwig sent the second redlined version of the new memberís handbook to board members but apparently not all directors received it. The draft handbook will be re-sent for review and comment. Harwig said the new handbook is ìtotally differentî than previous versions, in part because Standard Operating Procedures will be separate documents from the handbook. Shearer said the goal was to make the membersí handbook smaller and more user-friendly.Strategic planningLeon Gomes of Special District Management Services spoke to the board about the strategic planning services his firm offers. The board requested a proposal for the October meeting.2014 budgetHarwig and Mike Smaldino, board director, have met a few times to start the budget process for 2014. Property assessment values dropped and will result in about $15,000 less revenue for the district. Harwig said the district is starting to see new lot filings that will add to the tax base. However, even if a modest 3 percent growth rate was sustained over 10 years, the district could expect only to maintain the status quo. Likely, there would not be funding for additional facilities, apparatus or employees.StaffingThere are currently several unfilled positions that add to budget expenses. Harwig said he and the board need to review different staffing models to come up with the best solution for filling those positions.Cell phone tower at station 2Harwig said AT&T probably won’t be ready to move forward with the cell tower until the third or fourth quarter of next year. Fidelity Towers is trying to get other vendors on board to put the tower in place sooner.
