In November, Leon Gomes, president of the Peyton Fire Protection District board, administered the oath of office to the district’s new fire chief, Charles Omdahl.Omdahl was one of four applicants interviewed for the volunteer position.ìI’m looking forward to lots of good things happening in the future, and this department moving forward,î Omdahl said.Gomes thanked Sharon Brown for serving as the district’s interim chief. ìShe has been with us for 26 years, quite an accomplishment,î he said, adding that Brown is currently the department’s longest serving member.2012 budgetTreasurer David Stoddard presented a proposed budget for 2012. The budget was based in anticipation of $196,483 garnered from property taxes and $19,000 from the special ownership tax, which is part of the registration fee for vehicles in the district.Compared with the estimate for 2011, funding from property tax is expected to decline by $21,254, while special ownership tax funding will be up by $249 in 2012.The proposed 2012 budget shows the district will start the year with $27,974 in its reserve fund, $109,768 in its capital fund, $57,594 in its general fund and $2,000 in its checking account.Stoddard said the board has to adopt the 2012 budget by Dec. 15. The budget is available for review at the fire station.New fire code adoptedThe board unanimously approved a resolution prepared by vice president Jim Fraas to adopt the 2009 International Fire Code, with local amendments.According to Fraas’s resolution, the district will continue using an earlier version of the IFC until the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners also adopts the 2009 IFC.Fraas said the 2009 IFC is needed for the growth expected in the next five years.Background checksThe board discussed adopting a background check policy for current staff and new applicants.The current policy prohibits people who have been convicted of a felony or a class three misdemeanor from serving, but that’s not going far enough, Fraas said.Gomes said the district needs to identify how often background checks should be performed on current staff, along with determining guidelines for disqualification for current and new staff.ìWe can’t be ambiguous about it, or the district will get sued,î Gomes said.The board also discussed the various organizations that conduct background checks ñ such as the district attorney, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office or the Mountain States Employers Council.Personnel mattersThe board unanimously approved a motion to make Randy Mason a full firefighter.Mason has fulfilled all probationary requirements and is stable, focused and eager to be part of the fire department, Fraas said.At the October board meeting, Brown presented a report on three firefighters who haven’t been attending training sessions or showing up on calls.ìI have a problem with this. It’s been an issue for three months,î Fraas said.Board directors asked Omdahl to reach out to the firefighters one last time before they take action to terminate them.Anniversary celebrationGomes said the district was formed in 1988 and should consider a celebration of its 25th anniversary.Before the fire department was formed in 1955, there was no fire protection at all. When there was a fire, everybody just came running in from the farms and ranches, Fraas said.The next board meeting is Dec. 13 at the Peyton fire station.
