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Donald Wescott Fire Protection District Articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Dec. 5 – Board holds final meeting before district dissolves

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) special meeting on Dec. 5, the board received an update on the merger process with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD), the board heard about the final actions to officially complete the dissolution of the district and the merger process by year end, unifying the districts.

The meeting began at 2:32 p.m. with attorney Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe (ISPP) PC law firm joining via Zoom.

Former DWFPD board President Mark Gunderman was in attendance.

District merger update

Powell said her role in the merger process began with an in-person presentation to both district boards on May 13, 2021. See https://wp.ocn.me/v21n6mfd/. The final action in the merger process is to record the order of dissolution, and she is “on the cusp” of completing the process. The action was expected to occur on or around Dec. 20 with MFD district counsel Maureen Juran of Widner Juran LLP providing guidance and consent to ensure the documents are in the correct order to record electronically.

The recording will take place on the same day, and copies will be provided to Fire Chief Andy Kovacs. A letter advising of the court-ordered dissolution of DWFPD will then be prepared by ISPP to notify all the necessary state and county officials to include the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the State Auditor, the El Paso County Treasurer, Board of County Commissioners, the Assessor’s Office and any entity that has interaction with the district.

The minutes of the final meeting will need to be approved by the successor entity MFD at the next Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 22; then the merger will be completed, said Powell.

Final comments

Powell said everyone has been wonderful to work with, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of the project, and she would be in touch with Kovacs through the end of the year as the last steps wrap up.

Kovacs thanked Powell and said, “She had made the process painless and really quite easy.”

President Charles Fleece said, “The merger is coming to a good strong close and finish, after Powell’s hard work and time, along with Kovacs, and the number of hours and sweat everyone put into the merger process. It is a good feeling to pass the district over, the district is in good hands, and Gunderman is a MFD board director. A lot of work is turning into good fruition for years to come where we live and families are growing up. It literally hits home that the merger has been a good journey, and everyone’s efforts have been very meaningful.”

Gunderman agreed with the comments and said, “Fleece said it all.”

Secretary Mike Forsythe thanked everyone in attendance.

The meeting adjourned at 2:43 p.m.

Note: For additional information see the MFD article on page < 14 > and visit www.monumentfire.org.

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MFD meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams and in person at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Westcott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Oct. 8 – Merger process nears completion; mutual aid agreements terminated

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) special meeting on Oct. 8, the board was updated on the merger process with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) and approved three notices to terminate mutual aid, and the transfer of two assignment and assumption agreements for vehicle storage at the former fire station property on Sun Hills Drive to MFD.

The meeting began at 2:38 p.m., when President Charles Fleece joined via Zoom.

District merger update

Attorney Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe (ISPP) PC law firm, attending via Zoom, said the district hearing on the dissolution of the district had taken place on Sept. 20. The 15-minute hearing was attended by Powell, attorney Dino Ross of ISPP PC law firm, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, Executive Battalion Chief Micah Coyle, and MFD counsel Maureen Juran. The judge had no questions on the process, pleadings, or transition of the merger, but the bulk of the hearing focused on the dissolution of the district without the judge ordering an additional election.

The three eligible voters, including the two sitting board members and a spouse, had provided affidavits, had previously voted to proceed with the dissolution with the pre-inclusion intergovernmental agreement and the supplemental plan of dissolution. The judge approved the dissolution order that will be held until it is filed with the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder on Dec. 31. Delaying the dissolution order will allow the district to receive any small amount of delayed tax revenue and avoid any complicated accounting for the county Assessor’s Office. Procedural paperwork will continue behind the scenes, and the board member duties had concluded, until the final “special meeting” scheduled for Dec. 5. The meeting is expected to take about 15 minutes to “wrap up” the dissolution process, said Powell.

Termination of mutual aid agreements

Powell requested the board approve three notices of termination of mutual aid agreements between DWFPD and Cimarron Hills, Palmer Lake, and the City of Colorado Springs. The mutual aid agreements are no longer needed because MFD already has the same agreements with the same entities, said Powell.

The board unanimously approved the termination of the three mutual aid agreements.

Vehicle storage agreement re-assignment

Powell requested the board approve the assignment and assumption agreements for two vehicle storage contracts to be transferred to MFD. The agreements allow the American Red Cross and Emergency Incident Support to use the Sun Hills property for vehicle storage.

The board unanimously approved the agreements.

Note: For the chief’s report and updates, see the MFD article on page < 8 > and visit www.monumentfire.org.

The meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The final special meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m., via Zoom and in person at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Westcott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Sept. 25 – Meeting postponed due to board member’s absence

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on Sept. 25, the board was set to approve three notices of termination for mutual aid to partner agencies and approve an assignment and assumption agreement for vehicle storage at the property on Sun Hills Drive (former fire Station 3). But the meeting was postponed until a date in October due to the absence of Director Mike Forsythe. An update was announced on the merger process with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD).

District merger update

Attorney Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending via Zoom, said the district court hearing on the dissolution of the DWFPD occurred on Sept. 20, approving the action for Dec, 31, 2024. See wp.ocn.me/v24n8dwfpd/.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. A “special meeting” to conduct the business postponed from the September regular meeting be held Tue., Oct. 8, 2:30 pm. See the MFD website for updates. The final regular meeting is scheduled for Tue., Dec. 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, July 24 – Final merger timeline announced; dissolution plan approved

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on July 24, the board received the final timeline for the completion of the merger process with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD), adopted a supplemental plan of dissolution, and approved the dissolution of the district.

Secretary Mike Forsythe attended via Zoom.

District merger dissolution plan

Attorney Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending via Zoom, said the merger process is “moving along as expected.” The board is requested to consider Resolution 24-06, a resolution adopting the supplemental plan of dissolution, and approving the dissolution of the DWFPD, and she said:

  • To dissolve the district, a plan of dissolution must be provided to the court stating, for example, how emergency services will be continued, whether any outstanding debt needs to be handled—those kind of questions as set forth in the statute. See wp.ocn.me/v24n7dwfpd/.
  • Many of the questions are included in the pre-inclusion intergovernmental agreement (IGA) and it will be stated in the pre-inclusion IGA that it constitutes the district’s plan of dissolution. However, some of that information is not appropriate for the pre-inclusion IGA, for example the financial statements would not be attached, so the board is requested to adopt a supplemental plan of dissolution to be combined with the pre-inclusion IGA to constitute a complete packet to be submitted to the court.
  • Then the court will take about two weeks to issue the order. A request for a dissolution hearing can then be filed, which could be any time from today until Aug. 15.
  • The court will consider the petition for dissolution, and the hearing must be scheduled within 50 days. It could take up to 48-49 days or be as few as six days.
  • At the hearing, the court will be asked to order the dissolution without an election. The district only has three eligible electors who have all signed affidavits supporting the dissolution, but if the court disagrees, a small, three-person election will occur on Dec. 3.

The court hearing should take about 10 minutes or less and will require a board member representative. Attorney Dino Ross will handle the courtroom procedures with the judge, and she will attend to handle the paperwork. If an election is ordered by the judge, it will take place on Dec. 3, but it is unlikely with only three voters remaining in DWFPD, said Powell.

President Charles Fleece said he is hoping for the easy path to dissolution with the affidavits.

Powell said a similar hearing in Boulder County involved seven electors approving a dissolution. The court agreed that it would not be a good use of funds to conduct an election. If the judge agrees to order the dissolution without an election, and the order recorded at the end of December, the district will be dissolved, she said.

The two-member board unanimously approved and signed Resolution 2024-06, the legal documentation adopting a supplemental plan of dissolution and approving the dissolution of the district.

Remaining transfers

Powell said the request to exclude the two-board-member residential properties from the district and move them to TMD upon dissolution, was submitted to the court on July 26. A 30-day waiting period had to elapse before filing the exclusion after the board directors had signed the request at its June meeting. The transfer of the two contract agreements with The American Red Cross and Emergency Incident Support for the use of the Sun Hills property will be made to MFD before the end of the year.

Note: For more information, see the MFD article on page < 9 > and visit www.monumentfire.org.

Parting thoughts

Fleece thanked Powell for making the merger process seamless while juggling a million things over the past three years. The merger is wrapping up and approaching the tail end of the long process, and it is exciting to see, said Fleece.

Powell thanked the board for sticking with the long process and said she loves the merger process while having a system to make it happen. The board members and executive staff have been wonderful to work with, and all while they attend to full-time jobs, she said.

Fleece said that everyone involved remained professional and helpful throughout, working toward one goal to make the community better and safer for the employees. It has been a privilege and a better blessing to be a part of, he said.

Forsythe thanked everyone and said he is proud to do something good for the community. It was a dream at Wescott to have a merger with Monument and he was glad to have participated, he said. The merger is a dream come true for the firefighters, he said.

The meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 4:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, June 26 – Merger process prompts final transfers; 2023 audit unmodified

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on June 26, the board received an update on the merger process with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD), held a public hearing, approved an exclusion of real property, and approved the transfer of a fire station, the Volunteer Firefighter Pension Fund (VFPF) plan, and a substantial fund balance to MFD. The board received and approved the presentation of the 2023 audit. The VFPF Board of Trustees held a meeting before the regular meeting.

District merger final transfer actions

Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, the district’s attorney, said the June and July district meetings are down to the final transfer actions. The following transfers were requested:

  • The VFPF be transferred to MFD for administration effective Aug. 1.
  • A substantial fund balance to MFD.
  • The Sun Hills Station (formerly DWFPD Station 3) serving two nonprofit emergency services and additional storage for MFD.
  • The exclusion of real property belonging to the two remaining board members. See www.ocn.me/v24n5.htm#dwfpd.

Powell recommended Wescott retain a fund balance of $65,000 to cover its attorney fees, and the District Court will act on the requests. The merger process is down to the end, she said.

President Charles Fleece asked if the retained sum would be enough in the event that any damage occurs at the Sun Hills property.

Powell said, after discussing the sum with Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, the anticipated $46,000 was bumped to $65,000 through the end of 2024, and MFD agrees to pay any outstanding bills.

District Administrative Officer Jennifer Martin said MFD pays the utility bills for the Sun Hills property.

Powell said the reason the two properties remain in the district is to allow the remaining board directors to continue dissolving the district. All of the other properties in the Wescott district were transferred in April onto the El Paso County Assessor’s books to be assessed under MFD for fire service and EMS beginning Jan. 1, 2025. The paperwork will be signed to transfer the two remaining properties before the end of 2024, said Powell.

Public hearing and approval

Powell opened a public hearing on the proposed exclusion of real property from the district and said the public hearing had been duly published as required by law. Upon hearing no public comments, the hearing was closed. The board was asked to approve the following:

  • The exclusion of real property, Resolution 24-04 approving the exclusion of the two remaining real properties belonging to the remaining board members. See www.ocn.me/v24n5.htm#dwfpd.
  • The quit claim deed transferring the Sun Hills Fire Station to MFD.
  • Joint assignment of the VFPF plan and joint letter authorizing direction on the plan.
  • A letter authorizing the Firefighters Police Pension Association (FPPA) requesting the transfer of the VFPF plan to MFD as the sponsoring employer.
  • The fund balance transfer to MFD.

The board unanimously approved and signed the resolutions and legal documentation for the requests.

2023 audit

Mitchell Downs of Erikson Brown and Kloster said the firm is now part of CBIZ. The decision was made by the partners to secure the staff due to a nationwide shortage of accountants. Downs presented the 2023 audit and said the district had five adjustments that occurred due to tweaking financial statements, one was requested by district staff and the other entries related to the VFPF. Most of the disclosures were also related to the VFPF. There was not a lot of activity, but nevertheless everything was focused on and tested. The district 2023 audit received a clean or unmodified opinion and will be electronically uploaded to the state portal. The district budget required significantly less work due to limited activity and cost less than the budgeted $16,000. The audit was completed with cross-referencing the MFD audit and available a month ahead of last year’s audit, said Downs.

The board approved the 2023 audit as presented.

Note: For more information, see the MFD article on page < 14 > and visit www.monumentfire.org.

The regular meeting adjourned at 5:33 p.m.

Volunteer Firefighter Pension Fund Board of Trustees meeting

Volunteer Firefighter Pension Fund Trustee Mike Badger requested the trustee status in regard to voting during meetings.

Powell confirmed the volunteer trustees are voting members of the board, and that in the past there had been a misuse of terms before her time reviewing the minutes. The trustee board members are the five board members and the two volunteers elected from among the membership, and at the next meeting when the VFPF will be managed by the MFD board the trustees will be seven members and the two volunteers elected.

The board approved the November minutes as published, 3-0. Treasurer/Secretary Mike Forsythe joined the meeting after the vote.

Allocation report

Kovacs requested the board review the allocation report and said no action was necessary.

Pension Fund status

Badger said the allocation spreadsheet was developed years ago to track the data from FPPA and the status of the VFPF. At the beginning of 2023, the fund began with $907,397 and ended the year with $914,896, just shy of a $7,500 increase after all payouts and fees were made. The fund always increased until the downturn and at one point the fund was down by about $150,000, but it is making a comeback. At the end of the first quarter of 2024, the fund had $930,000 and realized a gain of $15,134. The second-quarter figures will be made available at the Nov. 13 meeting. Sadly, some volunteer firefighters passed away, but when that happens the fund becomes healthier. The fund is doing well, said Badger.

Fund transfer

Powell said as part of the merger process, one of the final action items is the transfer of the VFPF to MFD as the sponsoring employer. That action will take place at the regular board meeting. The Wescott district will dissolve at the end of the year, but the fund does not go away and will carry on with the same benefits and beneficiaries. Several board actions in connection with the fund will happen at the following regular meetings later in the evening, effectively assigning all of the rights to MFD. MFD will set up a relationship with FPPA, and once approved and signed the documents will be sent to FPPA, and the process will likely be completed in July. The fund will remain wholly intact, with the same pool of volunteers, and kept separate, even though MFD does not have a volunteer firefighter pension plan. The Wescott volunteers will be the only recipients and should not experience any interruption in their benefits. The transfer will be totally transparent to the recipients, said Powell.

Badger thanked Martin for facilitating the dissemination of information and keeping the volunteer trustees informed.

The VFPF Board of Trustees meeting adjourned at 4:22 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescot Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, April 24 – Merger process nears completion

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on April 24, the board received several updates on the merger process with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD), and re-assigned board positions. Mark Gunderman commented on his tenure as board president as he leaves Wescott to take a seat on the MFD Board of Directors.

Treasurer Duane Garrett was excused, and Secretary Charles Fleece and Director Mike Forsythe attended via Zoom.

Merger process update

The district’s attorney, Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending via Zoom, gave an update on the merger process and said the following:

  • The April 30 deadline to move the district properties onto the El Paso County Assessor’s tax rolls had been met.
  • The District Court issued the court order for the exclusion process first in order to hold the process for 30 days to ensure there were no objections to the exclusion of properties.
  • The final documents were walked down by MFD counsel Maureen Juran to the El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office on April 22.
  • The district’s properties will be assessed on the MFD tax records for the 2025 tax year.
  • All that remains is to dissolve the Wescott district and move the final two properties that are owned by Directors Fleece and Forsythe into the MFD boundaries.
  • A special meeting of the MFD board will be held on May 8 to begin the process for the exclusion of the two properties to be included into MFD upon dissolution of the district.
  • The four electors will be the two directors and their spouses, and the process will be fast, but the court order must be made before July.
  • The Sun Hills Fire Station transfer to MFD will be assisted by a property attorney.
  • The Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) and Colorado Firefighters Heart (CFH) Trust will be transferred to MFD, the new sponsor. The pension plan affiliation agreement will state MFD agrees to work with the FPPA and the CFH Trust.

Powell commended both boards and the staff and said it had been such a pleasure working with Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, and his professionalism and grit is truly admirable, said Powell.

Board positions re-assigned

Powell said that in accordance with the Special District Act, every board must elect a president and a treasurer.

Forsythe nominated Fleece as board president, and Forsythe by default assumed the treasurer/secretary position.

Powell made a motion to accept the nominations, and board unanimously approved the positions.

Note: Gunderman and Garrett will be sworn in as MFD board directors at the May 22 meeting.

Outgoing president remarks

Gunderman said he became a Wescott board director in May 2018, and it had been an honor to serve on the board for the past six years. He fell into the role of board president in January 2020, but it was a team effort, and he thanked former Secretary Larry Schwarz who left the district at the end of 2023, and incumbent directors Garrett, Fleece and Forsythe for their support and directorship. He also thanked Kovacs and the executive staff for making the journey as easy as possible, noting change often brings anxiety. Transitioning the firefighters over to MFD at the beginning of the merger process ensured the firefighters felt a part of the process from day one.

The MFD board directors were open to suggestion and made the process collaborative. He initially thought the road would be bumpy and thanked Powell for helping both districts navigate through the nuanced process. It was fortunate that both districts had the right firefighters and board directors at the right time, and he looks forward to serving on the Monument board. He thanked Fleece and Forsythe for remaining behind to assist Powell in the final months of the merger process.

Fleece said it had been a privilege to work with Gunderman, holding down the fort, and with Powell and Kovacs, everything is always lined up, simply a good team seeing the community grow in the right direction.

Chief’s report

Kovacs said the following:

  • Engine 502 and brush truck 542 assisted Fort Carson with a wildfire in March.
  • The combined district staff completed 783 training hours.
  • The new wildland Type 3 engine will go into service in the next two weeks after crews have received driver and apparatus orientation.
  • The engine will be in service locally and be available for wildland deployments.
  • The remodel design for Station 2 (Rollercoaster Road) is underway.
  • The Station 4 (Gleneagle Drive) remodel was delayed a week due to permitting issues, but the project is back on track for completion this fall.
  • Nine firefighter recruits are expected to graduate on May 3.

Forsythe said the addition of nine firefighters was good news.

For more information, see the MFD article on page 15, or visit www.monumentfire.org to read the entire chief’s report.

The meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.

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Meetings are typically held on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. A short special meeting will be held on June 12 at 4:30 p.m., and the regular meeting will be held on June 26 at 4:30 p.m., preceded by a Volunteer Pension Board of Trustees meeting at 4 p.m. There are no May meetings. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, March 6 – Real property exclusion/inclusion approved

By Natalie Barszcz

The Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) board met on March 6 and conducted a public hearing on the proposed exclusion of the majority of real property within the district’s jurisdiction pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 32-1-501(1.5) so that it may be included into the jurisdiction of Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD).

Director Mike Forsythe joined the meeting at 4:52 p.m.

Real property exclusion/inclusion proposal

The district’s attorney, Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending in person, said the district and TLMFPD had been working since 2022 to merge the two agencies into a single fire protection district that will provide fire protection services to the combined area. TLMFPD will be the surviving district and will officially change its name to “Monument Fire District” to reflect the broader geographic area of the district.

Powell said the merger process is at the point of the inclusion and exclusion of real property, a process that is similar to the way a municipality might annex or de-annex property. Shortly before the meeting, the TLMFPD board held a public hearing and the board agreed to include all the properties within the Wescott area into its boundaries. All except two properties will remain within the district after the inclusion/exclusion process is complete. Those properties belong to the two board members who will continue as directors to assist her in the final dissolution of DWFPD. Upon completion of the dissolution process, the two remaining properties will be included into the MFD boundaries. The inclusion/exclusion process will take place on the same day to prevent any lapse in fire protection services, she said. See www.ocn.me/v24n1.htm#dwfpd.

Public hearing

The board opened the public hearing on the exclusion and inclusion of property, and Powell confirmed the notice of the hearing had been published as required by law.

Volunteer Pension Board Trustee Dennis Feltz said 14-year former Wescott volunteer firefighter Dan Milano had passed away on Feb. 20, 2024. Milano and several firefighters had survived with injuries from falling through the burning roof of the Yorkshire Apartments in May 1976, but the fire claimed the lives of firefighter Donald Wescott and three occupants. DWFPD was built by the community and volunteers, and the district adopted the name Donald Wescott in 1981 to memorialize the loss of Wescott.

Feltz said that in the past, a downfall happened (when revenue was lost along with rooftops) and the department was mismanaged, but since the merger began the district stations on Gleneagle Drive and Highway 83/Stage Coach Road are now fully staffed with professional firefighters. A lot of changes have occurred since the paid professional staff took over, and Feltz thanked Fire Chief Andy Kovacs for ensuring the firefighters are always turned out professionally and the on-duty volunteer firefighters are no longer spotted in gym shorts and flip-flops at King Soopers.

The growth is significant within the region, and a study recommending Wescott merge with the Monument departments in the 1990s only resulted in the Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District (WMFPD) being taken over in 2008 by TLMFPD. Since the initial study, further studies recommended the triangle be completed to include the Wescott district. Feltz hopes everything keeps growing and the chief extends the leadership into the future, and history will repeat itself with another successful merger, he said.

Note: A brief history on the formation of the DWFPD can be found at https//monumentfire.org.

The board approved the resolutions in the certified order.

Powell said a 30-day waiting period would ensue before anything happens legally, even though both boards have agreed to the exclusion and inclusion of property. The El Paso County District Court will issue a public order after recognizing all the correct steps have been made. The boundary change will be official after the documents are recorded at the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Office. The process is dependent on the court’s calendar, but it is hoped that it will be completed in April.

Treasurer Duane Garrett said the districts have gone back and forth for years to make the merger happen, and finally the right people were in place. He is excited for the future of the district and ready to move onto the next chapter as an MFD board director.

President Mark Gunderman said the concept of a merger had been 20 years in the making and both boards had been working on the merger for four years. The department is modernizing the stations, providing better pay for the firefighters, and implementing new technology. The merger was the right thing to do for the community and the firefighters, he said. The district only encountered a few minor bumps in the road along the way, and he thanked Powell, the executive staff, and the combined district firefighters for their efforts.

Powell thanked the staff, the board directors, and the attendees at every meeting for their support during the merger process. “It was a heavy lift for everyone” and she was currently involved with four fire department mergers, she said.

Chief’s report

Fire Chief Kovacs said:

  • Battalion Chief Micah Coyle had moved from shift commander to an administrative role as the Executive Battalion Chief on Jan. 1.
  • On Jan. 6, the district responded to an outbuilding structure fire off Steppler Road that resulted in about $35,000 in property loss.
  • The Type 6 brush truck had deployed to Bent County for about 36 hours on March 4.
  • The Career Fire Academy was well underway with eight students from the district on track to graduate on May 3. A district student had returned to shift duty due to an injury sustained during the training.
  • The district’s combined staff completed 628 hours of training in January.
  • The Station 4 remodel is underway, and completion is expected in August.

Note: The Station 4 (Gleneagle Drive) Engine Company is operating from Colorado Springs Fire Department Station 22 (Voyager Parkway and Copper Center Parkway) during the remodel. See www.ocn.me/v24n2.htm#mfd and the MFD article below for additional information.

The meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.

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Meetings are typically held on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. The next regular meeting will be held on April 24 at 4:30 p.m. For Zoom meetings instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Jan. 4 and 24 – 2024 mill levy certified; tight timeline to complete merger

By Natalie Barszcz

The Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) board met on Jan. 4 to certify the 2024 mill levy and hear about the subdistrict dissolution and to discuss meeting date changes needed to complete the district merger by the end of 2024. The board discussed a pre-inclusion intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD). On Jan. 24, the board accepted the pre-inclusion IGA, decided the future board members, and accepted a revised 2024 board meeting schedule.

Director Mike Forsythe was excused on Jan. 4, and Secretary Charles Fleece was excused on Jan. 24.

2024 mill levy certification

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said the expected loss of property tax revenue for 2024 will be about $228,000 for the district (based on 21.4 mills), and about $747,000 for MFD (based on 18.4 mills), for a total of about $975,000. The El Paso County Assessor’s Office does not have the software to differentiate between the loss of revenue from the Residential Assessment Rate (RAR) and the $55,000 rooftop adjustment, so the district cannot backfill by adjusting the mill levy to compensate for the $55,000 per rooftop loss. Assurance from the state that 100% of the lost revenue will be received by the district in March or April, he said. See www.ocn.me/v24n1.htm#dwfpd.

Background: In 2024, the RAR dropped to 6.7% and the amount of redemption on property tax value increased from $15,000 to $55,000.

District attorney Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending via Zoom, said for 2024 the state will need to pick up 100% of the revenue loss as a result of the adjusted RAR and the $55,000 reduction to the assessed valuation for each property.

In a 3-0 vote, the board certified the general operating mill levy at 21.4 mills for 2024.

District merger process update

Powell said the first phase of the merger was complete after her office received the official election results from El Paso County in December. A request to the district court to issue an order of dissolution for the sub-district was then filed. As of Dec. 27, the order of dissolution was filed with the county Clerk and Recorder Office and DWFPD is one district with one mill levy.

The second phase of the process has begun and will involve legally merging the boundaries of DWFPD and MFD. The merging of the boundaries will be done by utilizing the property inclusion and exclusion processes set forth in Parts 4 and 5 of the Special District Act. The transfer is allowed without an election because DWFPD is moving to a lower taxing district and property owners will save money when the merger is complete. The process will be intense, and the merger is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

The goal is to complete 99.9% of the property transfer by April 30 to ensure the process will not bleed into early 2025. The Assessor’s Office will backdate the property transfer on the tax rolls to Jan. 1, 2024 and MFD will begin receiving the property tax revenue Jan. 1, 2025. If the deadline is not met, the board will continue meeting to transfer revenue to MFD for another year, until MFD can begin receiving the revenue via the Assessor’s Office on Jan. 1, 2026.

Powell presented the board members with a document laying out the timeline of the projects and a document proposing a pre-inclusion IGA with MFD, and she requested two or three board members be identified to remain on the board to assist with the final dissolution of DWFPD. The personal residences of the remaining two board members would be the final 0.1% of the property remaining in the district, to be transferred at the end of 2024. The Sun Hills Fire Station is expected to be transferred to MFD, because a dissolved district cannot keep it, but a discussion should ensue if there are concerns, she said.

President Mark Gunderman and Treasurer Duane Garrett elected to move onto the MFD board in May to replace directors Roger Lance and Tom Tharnish. Both MFD board directors had previously requested retiring from the board in 2024. Fleece and Forsythe remain Wescott board members to assist with the completion of the merger.

Powell said the property owners of the district will receive a mailer in early February explaining the process of the merger, the benefits to the property owners, and the resulting drop in mills after the merger is completed. The mailer will include an invitation for property owners to attend a public hearing at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105, Monument on March 6 at 4 p.m.

The board adopted the pre-inclusion IGA with Tri-Lakes Monument Protection District dba Monument Fire District, 3-0 on Jan. 24.

Powell requested the following revised meeting dates be approved to align with the merger process schedule:

  • March 6
  • April 24
  • June 12
  • June 26 (includes Volunteer Pension Board meeting)
  • July 24
  • Sept. 25
  • Nov. 20

In a 3-0 vote, the board adopted the revised board meeting schedule on Jan. 24.

For more information on the combined district activity, see the MFD article below and the Snapshots section on page < 15 >.

The Jan. 4 meeting adjourned at 12:58 p.m. The Jan. 24 meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m.

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Meetings are typically held on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 6 at 4:30 p.m., preceded by a public hearing at 4 p.m. For Zoom meetings instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Nov. 27 – Merger completion expected by November; 2024 budget approved without mill levy certification

By Natalie Barszcz

Correction

In the November edition, the cost for the Station 4 air duct cleaning completed by Steamatic was $3,243. OCN regrets the error.

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At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) special meeting on Nov. 27, the board heard about the next steps to complete the merger with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba: Monument Fire District (MFD), approved the 2024 budget without certifying the mill levy, set the Board of Directors’ meeting schedule, and recognized Lt. Roger Lance Jr. and members of the Local 4319 for helping voters understand ballot initiatives 6A/6B. The board received an update on the station remodels and held a Volunteer Pension Board of Trustees session before the meeting.

Secretary Larry Schwarz and Director Mike Forsythe were excused.

Nov. 7 election update

District counsel Michelle Ferguson of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending via Zoom, congratulated the district on the passing of the ballot initiative 6A/6B and said the district can move forward after the official results are received from the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. Ferguson said District Attorney Emily Powell had indicated that the election results and a court order for the dissolution of the district would be filed by Dec. 31, and the dissolution would be effective by the end of the year. MFD attorney Maureen Juran will process the merger of the district’s boundaries beginning in January 2024 and the process could take about six months to complete, said Ferguson. See www.ocn.me/v23n11.htm#dwfpd.

2024 budget and district mill levy

Ferguson said the property tax reduction and backfill structure (some special districts will be eligible for state funding to make up for lost revenue from the property tax assessment reduction) put in place by Senate Bill 2022-238 will remain in effect for 2023, and in addition for 2024, as a result of the special state Legislature session held after Proposition HH failed, the residential assessment rate will drop to 6.7% and the amount of redemption on property tax value increased from $15,000 to $55,000 for 2024. The district will see a slight drop in revenue, but it can adjust the mill levy to recoup lost revenue through the de-Gallagher measure that was voter approved. The certificate of assessed valuation from the El Paso County Assessor that the district usually receives on Dec. 10 is extended to Jan. 3. The district must adopt the budget and certify the mill levy before filing with the state by Jan. 10. The board has three options:

  • Proceed with the budget hearing and know that if the certificate of assessed evaluation results in a change to the budget, an amendment can be made one time without penalty.
  • Open the public hearing and have as much discussion as needed, and vote to continue the hearing until the board is ready to adopt the budget in early January.
  • Postpone the entire hearing until early January.
  • The board cannot certify the mill levy before receiving the certificate of assessed evaluation, because the mill levy cannot be adjusted after it is filed with the state, and the district could lose revenue. See www.ocn.me/v23n12.htm#mfd and the MFD article on page < 11 >.

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said he had spoken to the El Paso County Assessor’s Office that morning and it is scrambling to provide the new property value assessments for 2024. Fire districts will receive 100% backfill according to HB23B-1005 Sections 6 and 7. The district should not have to adjust the mill levy, because the backfill will take care of the loss in revenue. Not all special districts will see backfill, but fire districts will, he said.

Ferguson said the backfill will happen, but some districts do not trust the state with regard to the backfill and the process is unclear.

Kovacs said the state imposed the decision, and the district does not want to look like the bad guys and raise the mill levy; it is upon the state to backfill the lost revenue.

Director Charles Fleece agreed the board should move ahead and approve the 2024 budget minus certifying the mill levy.

President Mark Gunderman opened the public hearing on the 2024 budget, heard no comments and confirmed that the district received no comments prior to the meeting and an announcement had been made in the Gazette. He closed the public meeting and requested the board approve the 2024 budget, Resolution 2023-08 with the exception of section 4 (the adoption and certification of the mill levy).

The board approved the 2024 budget, 3-0.

The board expects to hold a “special meeting” in early January via Zoom to certify the mill levy for 2024.

Subdistrict dissolution and merger completion process

Gunderman said the board will have a large amount of administrative work for the attorneys of both districts, and he suggested the board meet monthly in 2024 through May and then revert to every other month in July through November if necessary.

The board approved the amended schedule, 3-0.

Staff and public recognition

Gunderman said the DWFPD ballot measure 6A and 6B passed as the final hurdle before formalizing the unification between the two districts and completing the merger process. He thanked the Local 4319 for the unanimous decision to pledge $10,000 in funding for banners and mailings that allowed the district to get the important message out in an effective manner. It was a team effort led by Lt. Roger Lance Jr., with Corey Trottier, Justin Myers, Justin Chavez, and Rachel Peters canvassing neighborhoods, even on days off shift to engage in the successful education campaign. Gunderman thanked Kovacs for arranging meetings with all of the firefighters on every shift, and he thanked the firefighters for getting the word out in a team effort. District Administrator Jennifer Martin was the unsung hero, completing many extra tasks toward completing the merger. He also thanked the MFD Board of Directors for taking a leap of faith and allowing the Wescott board to wait an extra year to show the residents how well the merger was working, allowing for the education campaign to pass the ballot measures.

Martin thanked Gunderman and his mother, Mary Gunderman, for their hard work campaigning in the community.

Gunderman said his mother really did promulgate the cause and there was no one she ran into that did not receive a flyer.

Lance said it was easy to think about the campaign in the short term over the past two months, but the discussions began as early as 2010 around the coffee table. He thanked the boards and the executive staff for all the heavy lifting and making the merger happen. Achieving the merger will be the highpoint of his career, he said.

Gunderman said the board was a good team, but unfortunately Secretary Larry Schwarz was moving out of state and would not remain on the board. He appreciated Schwarz’s perspective as a retired battalion chief, and he was a big piece of the merger process. The board came together to make everything seamless, he said.

Recognition award

Gunderman thanked Lance for the special education campaign and said that before he had become a board member, Lance had been part of the committee helping to pass the mill levy increase in 2017, from 7 mills to 21.9 mills. The huge increase was needed to keep the district operational, and it passed by a two-thirds majority vote. Once again, Lance stepped up to educate the community in 2023 to lead an education campaign because the board and executive staff were not legally allowed to campaign. He developed a strategy in a short time to educate the firefighters and the public, disseminate flyers, information and banners (a couple of which were vandalized in the beginning). Lance hit the mark when it was important to let the voters know early, and without his efforts the ballot measures may not have passed. Gunderman presented Lance with a plaque for his efforts; see photo below.

Kovacs said the other L4319 members would be formally recognized at another time.

Above: From left, President Mark Gunderman presents a plaque of recognition from the Donald Wescott Board of Directors to Lt. Roger Lance Jr. for his commitment and dedication to the community, through the passage of ballot measure 6A and 6B and his leadership that facilitated the creation of Monument Fire District. Gunderman said Lance had gone above and beyond in service to the community, even educating HOA members on a day off at 8 p.m. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Board vacancy

Gunderman said he appreciated Schwarz as a board member and his retired battalion chief perspective, and everything the board had achieved under the direction of Kovacs, but as of end of November Schwarz would no longer be a resident within the district. He suggested the board appoint a new secretary and asked Director Charles Fleece to step in and take over the duties of board secretary.

Ferguson said that filling the seat would be unnecessary, although the county could fill the position after 60 days, but that does not usually occur. She requested the board take action and request a formal letter of resignation from Schwarz.

Facilities update

Kovacs said the remodel of Station 5 (Highway 105 “Shamrock Station”) was well underway and was expected to be completed in January 2024. The remodel of Station 4 (Gleneagle Drive) will begin after Station 5 is completed. The Station 4 staff will be accommodated at Station 5 during the six-to-seven-month closure of Station 4, he said.

Financial reports

Kovacs said some of the numbers on the January-September profit and loss statement in the September financial report were negative. Those numbers were due to some accounting errors but the CPA made the corrections for the October financial report.

The board approved the financial reports for September and October, 3-0.

For more updates see the MFD article on page < 11 > and visit www.monumentfire.org.

The meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m.

Volunteer firefighter pension fund Board of Trustees meeting

Trustees Michael Badger and Dennis Feltz attended the volunteer firefighter pension fund meeting via Zoom.

The board approved the financial reports for September and October.

Allocation report and pension fund status

Badger said he had not had the opportunity to get online during his travels to access the spreadsheets for the Board of Trustees’ volunteer pension fund, and he was transferring information to a new computer, but the fund is no longer running in the red. No specific numbers were available for the allocation report, but the third-quarter report for 2023 reveals the fund is not stellar but doing well enough to give him a sigh of relief compared to 2022 and early 2023, he said.

Gunderman said as long as it is in the black and looking solid and the district is no longer adding any more firefighters to the volunteer firefighter pension fund, it should be okay.

2022 actuarial report

Badger said he had not reviewed the 2022 actuarial report, but Martin had along with the trustees and board members. The report was based on no additional funding or changes in the status and is fully funded at 114%, and he was relieved after some of the doom and gloom of the recommended contributions in 2022.

Gunderman said the district is now under no obligation to make any changes.

Martin said it was great news for the district.

Kovacs said district attorney Powell recommended no additional funding going into 2024.

Gunderman said he agreed that no contribution would be added to the volunteer pension fund in 2023, and he agreed to leave the fund as is, in line with Powell’s and Kovacs’ recommendation. At some point in 2024, the management of the fund will be passed to the MFD Board of Directors on completion of the merger and the Wescott district is dissolved, he said.

Treasurer Duane Garrett said the fund should have longevity now that no other volunteers will be added to the fund.

Gunderman said he did not have an exact date, but definitely by the end of 2024, and maybe by November, MFD could be managing the fund.

Ferguson said the trustees will continue on and sit with the MFD board after the merger is completed.

Note: Board of Trustees meetings are scheduled to be held in May and November 2024 at 4 p.m., before the regular DWFPD Board of Directors meetings on the fourth Wednesday of the month. For details, visit www.monumentfire.org.

The board approved the 2024 Board of Trustees meeting schedule for 2024, 3-0.

The meeting adjourned at 4:19 p.m.

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Meetings are scheduled to be held every month through May 2024 on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 4:30 p.m. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District – Rescheduled meetings occurred after publication

By Natalie Barszcz

The Donald Wescott Fire Protection Volunteer Pension Board of Trustees meeting and the regular Board of Directors meeting originally scheduled for Nov. 15 were rescheduled for Nov. 27, which was after the OCN publication deadline. The content of the Nov. 27 meetings will be published in the January edition. See the MFD article on page < 10 >.

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Meetings are scheduled to be held every month through May 2024 in person at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105, Monument and via Zoom at 4 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month. No meeting in December. A special meeting via Zoom will be scheduled to certify the district mill levy in early January. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wed., Jan. 24, 4 pm. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit http://www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Oct. 11 – Subdistrict dissolution process update; tax revenue uncertain

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) rescheduled September meeting held on Oct. 11, the Board of Directors received an update on the subdistrict dissolution process, heard about revenue uncertainty, and received the first presentation of the proposed 2024 budget.

Director Mike Forsythe was excused.

The meeting began at 4:38 p.m. due to a delay with the Zoom link.

Subdistrict dissolution process update

The district’s attorney, Michelle Ferguson of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending via Zoom, said the subdistrict dissolution election is working its way through the process and hopefully the district will have a result on Nov. 8. See www.ocn.me/v23n8.htm#dwfpd and www.ocn.me/v18n12.htm#dwfpd.

Note: The board adopted a temporary increase of 7.17 mills (for the district) and 15.25 mills (for the sub-district) in property tax collection for 2023. The mill levy adjustment was approved to offset a loss of revenue that occurred due to the state Legislature’s temporary drop in the Residential Assessment Rate for 2023. See www.ocn.me/v22n12.htm#dwfpd and visit www.monumentfire.org for information regarding the Joint Factual Summary for the DWFPD dissolution and the mill levy certification for each district can be found under transparency for DWFPD.

Property tax revenue uncertain

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said the following:

  • The district is awaiting the outcome of the Nov. 7 election and the passing or failure of Proposition HH.
  • If it does not pass, further state legislation is planned to cap special district revenue at 4%.
  • Depending on the outcome of Proposition HH either passing or failing, and if 6A/6B passes or fails, the district will refer back to the board with a new revenue proposal and budget accordingly.
  • If the ballot measure 6A/6B passes, residents will see a decrease in the mill levy.
  • The combined district revenue for 2024 is estimated to be about $22 million (includes about $4.3 million in property tax revenue for DWFPD); the contractual services for providing fire and EMS service to the Wescott customers is projected at about $4.2 million.

The lion’s share of revenue comes from property tax assessments, but the district receives other revenue sources from impact fees within the Town of Monument, specific ownership taxes, and a state supplement for the EMS ambulance has increased by $30,000 for a total of $330,000 for 2024, he said.

Increased costs of doing business

Kovacs said that since 2004, and even 2019, there has been an astronomical difference in the cost of new apparatus, with most engines taking three years to build. The district has three Ford F150 chassis on order, and a new ambulance with an anticipated delivery date in the first quarter of 2024. The ambulance required finding a new vendor due to the district’s usual vendor having no availability, resulting in a $30,000 cost increase. The combined district historically received more revenue in 2023, but the cost of doing business has increased, with higher health care costs for additional family members. Salaries and benefits will need to remain competitive to recruit and retain staff, he said.

Proposed 2024 budget

Kovacs said budget development consumes the administrative staff from May until it concludes in December. The district has about a dozen budget coordinators, typically lieutenants, engineers, and firefighters that gain budgeting experience by helping to submit proposals for item requests. The staff use the five-year strategic plan, itemize expenses, complete project appraisals for equipment expenses, use industry standards, and provide explanations for the purchases. Ultimately the requests are submitted to the executive team, and if approved those items are included in the budget by the executive team, he said.

Division Chief of Operations Jonathan Bradley said the district is proposing $16,000 for additional technical rescue equipment (multiple use items), and supplies (single use items), and each budget line item will be managed separately by two staffers. The water/ice rescue boat (at Monument Lake) is human powered, so an insert is being fabricated to attach an electric motor, he said.

Kovacs said the line staff requested winter jackets be included in the 2024 uniform budget proposed at $92,800. The winter jacket requests will be at the discretion of each employee, but the uniform budget will probably not be fully expended because some employees have no need for a storm jacket, he said.

Note: For more detailed budget information see www.ocn.me/v23n10.htm#mfd and the Monument Fire District (MFD) article on page < 12 >. The proposed 2024 budgets for DWFPD and MFD and public notices are available to view at www.monumentfire.org. A public hearing will be held on Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m. for the DWFPD proposed 2024 budget, followed by the Board of Directors’ final approval. The public hearing for the MFD proposed 2024 budget will be held at 6:30 p.m. the same day, followed by the Board of Directors’ final approval. See footnote for further details.

Chief’s report

Bradley said the following:

  • Staff continue to attend meetings in the region to maintain the district’s voice within the county.
  • An automatic aid agreement with the Pike National Forest in the mutual threat zone (1 mile beyond the MFD/U.S. Forest Service boundary) and all call types are now active with El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch. The district recently assisted with a couple of vehicle rollovers on Mount Herman Road.
  • Battalion Chief Scott Ridings is making progress with gathering accreditation information for the combined district, and the process will require one more year of call data. Thanks to Ridings, the task is over 90% complete.
  • The Community Chipping program completed six chippings in September and has closed until May 2024. The district is already scheduling for the next season.
  • The former Wescott aerial ladder truck received a new transmission replacement and is back in service (in reserve status).
  • An electric tank-to-pump valve, now obsolete, needed to be fabricated for the small water tender which is back in service.
  • The Station 4 air-duct vents were cleaned for about $4,000.

Note: For additional information, see www.ocn.me/v23n10.htm#mfd and see the MFD article on page < 12 >.

The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held every other month on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m. A Pension Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled to precede the regular meeting at 4 p.m. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Sept. 27 – Board meeting canceled

By Natalie Barszcz

On Sept. 27 at 2:09 p.m., this reporter received notice that the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District Board of Directors had canceled the scheduled meeting due to the lack of a quorum. For the Joint Factual Summary for the Donald Wescott sub-district dissolution regarding ballot questions 6A and 6B, and information about the October public hearing for the 2024 budget presentation, visit www.monumentfire.org. For details on the proposed 2024 budget, information, and upcoming events see the Monument Fire District article on page < 1 > and the calendar on page < 26 >.

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Meetings are usually held every other month on the fourth Wednesday. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m., at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, July 26 – Election called to dissolve subdistrict and complete merger

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on July 26, the board approved a resolution calling for a coordinated election on Nov. 7, approved a joint resolution of advocacy, a joint factual summary for the election process, and approved funds for the district and subdistrict elections with assistance from Special District Solutions. The district also approved the 2022 audit.

Treasurer Duane Garrett attended via Zoom and Secretary Larry Schwarz joined the meeting in person at 4:40 p.m.

Director Charles Fleece was presumed travelling and was excused.

Election called to complete merger

Background: In 2016, the City of Colorado Springs took about one-half of the district’s territory, prompting the creation of the northern subdistrict over most of the district area that was left, to make sure there was enough revenue to continue providing services. Since then, the district’s jurisdiction and the northern subdistrict’s jurisdiction have been almost identical. Only one small enclave of property remains inside the fire district, known locally as the “Montezuma area” or the “Southern Enclave.” See map.

On Dec. 8, 2021 after about 11 months of negotiations and to better serve the community, the district entered into an operational and administration intergovernmental agreement with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD). At the beginning of January 2022, without warning American Medical Response abruptly withdrew ambulance service from former Station 1 (Gleneagle Drive), six months earlier than anticipated. Due to the agreement to begin unifying the districts, MFD was able to provide immediate EMS service to the DWFPD. See www.ocn.me/v22n1.htm#dwfpd and #mfd.

Since then, district staff have been transferred to the MFD payroll, blended into a five station service area staffed only by professional firefighters, and the firefighters now have new apparatus and ambulances, compatible self-contained breathing apparatus and radios, and wear the same uniforms in a combined district. Stations 4 and 5 (formerly Stations 1 and 2) have been transformed to accommodate additional staff. The Station 4 leaking roof was repaired and rooftop HVAC unit replaced, and the broken bay door fixed. The water heaters were replaced at both stations. The remodel plans for both stations are almost finalized, and both will be completed ahead of the remodel of Station 2 on Roller Coaster Road. The transfer of stations, apparatus, and equipment was approved by the Board of Directors and legally transferred to MFD on Oct. 18, 2022. See www.ocn.me/v22n11.htm#dwfpd.

The district’s attorney, Emily Powell, said a court hearing requesting an order of election took place on June 23. The subdistrict will seek dissolution only if the fire district (Southern Enclave) seeks to increase its mill levy to offset the revenue that will be lost. If only the subdistrict is dissolved, the loss of 14.9 mills would be devastating to the district’s ability to operate. All of the steps and actions the district has taken so far were court approved and now it is time to ask the voters what they think, she said. See www.ocn.me/v23n5.htm#dwfpd.

Powell requested the board approve a resolution calling for the Board of Directors to approve a coordinated election, asking for a mill levy increase for the district (Southern Enclave) and the dissolution of the northern subdistrict on Nov. 7, 2023. The election will be conducted by the El Paso County Clerk, and the Designated Election Official (DEO) will be Fire Chief Andy Kovacs with the assistance of an independent election assistant.

The board approved Kovacs as the DEO for the subdistrict election, 4-0.

Voter education will be crucial, and both ballot measures will either pass together or fail together, said Powell.

The board approved a resolution calling for a coordinated election on Nov 7, 2023, 4-0.

Map of the Donald Wescott Fire District showing the “Southern Enclave.” Map courtesy DWFPD.

Joint resolution of advocacy and factual summary

Powell requested the Board of Directors for the district and the northern subdistrict approve a joint resolution of advocacy on behalf of the district and subdistrict and approve a joint factual summary for both districts. The joint factual summary states:

  • DWFPD provides fire protection and emergency services. It has a 7.0 mill levy base assessed on property tax valuation.
  • The DWFPD northern subdistrict provides additional funding to the fire district and is assessed an additional 14.9 mill levy.
  • The district and the northern subdistrict have almost the same boundaries. There is one enclave of property to the south that is in the fire district, but it is not in the northern subdistrict and is known as the “Southern Enclave” in this factual summary. See map inset.

Issues and proposal

  • Property owners who are in the fire district and the northern subdistrict pay a total of 21.9 mills in property tax. Property owners in the Southern Enclave pay 7.0 mills in property tax because they are only in the fire district.
  • The fire district and Monument Fire District (formerly known as Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District) are currently talking about merging. However, they cannot finalize a merger unless the northern subdistrict is dissolved and there is only one Donald Wescott Fire Agency.
  • To solve the problem, the northern subdistrict decided to ask voters for approval to dissolve, and the fire district decided to ask voters for approval to increase its property tax to make up the lost revenue from the northern subdistrict dissolving. Both ballot measures will be on the Nov. 7, 2023 ballot.
  • Most fire district property owners will receive a 0.5 mill property tax decrease if both ballot measures are approved. This is because if the northern subdistrict is dissolved, it will stop collecting its 14.9 mill property tax, but the fire district will only increase its property tax by 14.4 mills, so there will be a 0.50 mill savings. DWFPD residents receiving services would be assessed 21.4 mills until the merger is completed.
  • Approving the ballot measures would mean that everyone who receives emergency services from the fire district would pay the same rate. This is more equitable, especially to the property owners who are also in the northern subdistrict.
  • The proposed merger with MFD depends on the ballot measures being approved. The merger is expected to provide better emergency services due to having more staff, stations, apparatus, coordinated training, and a more efficient administration. On completion a merger would also decrease most fire district property owners’ taxes by another 3.0 mills, because MFD assesses 18.4 mills to the residents in its area of coverage.
  • Approving the ballot measures will also help save money because it will reduce administrative costs by getting rid of duplicate layers of government and having only one fire agency.
  • The Board of Directors urges voters to vote yes to dissolve the northern subdistrict and increase the fire district’s (southern enclave) property tax in the Nov. 7 election.

Arguments against the proposal

  • Voters in the southern enclave will pay the fire district’s property tax increase but won’t get tax savings from dissolving the northern subdistrict.
  • Some voters might not want the fire district and MFD to merge, and the process is expected to continue if the ballot measures are approved.
  • Some voters might want the fire district to provide a lower level of services, instead of increasing its property tax to offset the revenue that will be lost if the northern subdistrict dissolves.

Arguments for the proposal

  • Most fire district property owners would get a 0.5 mill property tax decrease, because the fire district’s property tax increase (14.4 mills) is less than the 14.9 mills that the northern subdistrict will stop collecting if it dissolves.
  • The same tax rate would apply across the fire district’s entire jurisdiction.
  • Some voters may be in favor of having only one layer of government, which would lower administrative costs.
  • Some voters might want the fire district and MFD to merge, the process of which is expected to continue if the ballot measures are approved. If a merger ultimately occurs, property taxes are expected to decrease by another 3.0 mills.

The board approved the district and subdistrict joint resolution of advocacy and the joint factual summary, 4-0.

Note: The complete factual summary can be found at http://www.monumentfire.org.

Public comment

Resident Gary Nelson said it would be helpful to know how much the residents would be saving per average home price should both ballot measures pass.

Powell said that until the results of the November election are known with regard to Proposition HH, the final property tax assessment rates for 2024 will be unknown, she said. See www.ocn.me/v23n6.htm#dwfpd.

Special District Solutions assistance

Powell recommended Kurt Schlegel of Special District Solutions (SDS) be hired to provide election-related technical services and support for the DWFPD subdistrict election. Schlegel has 17 years’ experience and success with assisting other fire districts in Colorado with similar elections involving mergers. Schlegel will work with the DEO, district staff, and the county election officials from Sept. 8, when the ballot is certified, until the election is completed. The next step in the process is to approve the IGA on Aug. 29, she said.

The board approved hiring SDS to assist with the election process for a fee not to exceed $12,000, 4-0.

Note: SDS services for the election proposals are expected to cost each district/subdistrict between $3,000 and $6,000. The actual cost for services will depend on the hours required, determined by the DEO and the Board of Directors.

2022 audit

Shani Cottrell of Erickson, Brown and Kloster, P.C., said she had worked closely and concurrently during the 2022 audits for DWFPD and MFD, with emphasis on the areas within the IGA. The transfer of capital assets (property, apparatus, and equipment) were reviewed and the depreciation estimates for the net pension assets complied with the Firefighters and Police Pension Association (FPPA) report. Execution of the IGA went smoothly, and was handled very well, along with the adjustments to the IGA for assets transferred and the FPPA pension fund, and the typical property tax amendments, she said.

Last year, a management letter for some deficiencies with the accounting policies was issued, but this year nothing was required. Kovacs and Director of Administration Jennifer Martin, and the district accountants were super helpful during the process and are doing a good job. All financial statements for the merging districts should mirror each other, and they do, she said.

The board approved the 2022 audit with authorization for filing with the state auditor, 4-0.

Financial reports

Garrett requested the reason behind a significant jump in the balance from the May to June financial report.

Kovacs said the increase was due to the quarterly transfer of funds ($782,941) to Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba MFD. The district is receiving fire and EMS service under the IGA for an annual fee of about $3.1 million. See www.ocn.me/v23n4.htm#dwfpd.

The board approved by a 3-0 vote the financial reports for May and June as presented.

Chief’s report

See the MFD article on page < 11 >. The monthly chief’s reports can be found at www.monumentfire.org.

The meetings adjourned at 5:52 p.m.

**********

Meetings are usually held every other month on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom meeting instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, May 24 – Gleneagle annexation timeline unknown; merger process continues

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on May 24, the board discussed the timeline for the annexation of Gleneagle, received an update on the dissolution of the sub-district, held an election to determine board director positions, heard about the potential for revenue loss, and received updates on station remodels and new apparatus. The meeting was preceded by the volunteer firefighter pension fund board of trustees meeting.

Directors Charles Fleece and Treasurer Duane Garrett attended via Zoom.

Election of officers

District Attorney Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm requested the board decide the officer positions. After a short discussion, the directors unanimously elected to retain the same positions.

Annexation update

DWFPD Volunteer Pension Board Trustee Dennis Feltz (attending remotely) asked for clarification on the comments made by Monument Fire District (MFD) board Vice President Roger Lance. See www.ocn.me/v23n5.htm#mfd.

President Mark Gunderman said there is no current negotiation regarding any annexation, but the City of Colorado Springs may be interested in annexing Gleneagle in one to 10 years. An annexation would impact all the work the combined districts have undertaken. Fire Chief Andy Kovacs and Gunderman had a discussion over coffee with Town of Monument Manager Mike Foreman, but there is no interest in annexation. The board represents the community for fire service, and Gunderman said he would like to see the merger between Wescott and Monument Fire District progress, to best serve the residents. Town Hall meetings will be held to inform the public of the options, and discuss what the future may look like, he said.

Kovacs said the concern regarding annexation arose from an article and a map that was published in December 2021 by The Gazette.

Note: The map showing potential annexation areas can be found on page < 50 > of Your El Paso Master Plan at https://planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com.

Sub-district dissolution process update

Powell said the petition for dissolution was submitted to the court, and the hearing is set for June 23. Her associate attorney Dino Ross will represent the district via Zoom. The court hearing notice will be published in a newspaper, in Colorado Springs and Monument, before the hearing. See www.ocn.me/v23n5.htm#dwfpd.

Gunderman asked about engaging a public relations firm to help inform the public after the hearing.

Powell said that after the court approval grants the petition, the court orders the election, and then the board and district cannot engage in one-on-one campaigning. A Resolution of Advocacy with campaign-style language can be disseminated, but not by the district. Any interested party or member of the press can request a copy of the Resolution of Advocacy through the Colorado Open Records Act, but any campaign must be away from the district and the board. A factual summary can be disseminated by the district. Beyond that, information must be away from the board and delivered by groups such as the Local 4319, homeowners associations, and other interested parties, she said.

Gunderman said he would discuss getting the message out to the residents with Kovacs after the meeting.

Potential for revenue loss

Kovacs said there is a potential for revenue loss for fire districts in 2024 with Senate Bill 303 and Proposition HH. The bill is a 10-year reduction in property taxes, and some districts could receive back-fill from the state, the stipulation being no more than a 20% increase in assessed property values, but locally values have risen beyond that. The implications are unknown, and every district is scrambling to decipher the complicated language, he said.

Powell said that SB 303 is a massive piece of tax legislation that passed in both the House and Senate and was signed by Gov. Jared Polis on May 2. The bill refers to the voters in November with Proposition HH, with these questions:


  • Shall property taxes be reduced by reducing assessment rates?

  • Shall we de-Bruce the state by 1% and generate about $167 million in revenue?

  • Shall we use that $167 million to back-fill certain local governments that might lose out due to property tax reductions?

  • Other parts are also included in the referendum.

Taking this to the voters in November creates problems for the 2024 budget process, because the district will not know how much revenue will be generated by property tax assessments in time for preliminary budgeting. If the referendum passes, every assessor in the state will be scrambling to re-assess properties. SB 303 may not make the November ballot due to 12 challenges from statewide counties claiming the bill violates the single subject law; it contains at least three, possibly five subjects. Proposition 103 maybe even more damaging, creating a hard 3% cap in revenue increases for local government, she said.

Powell said her law practice is preparing a practical guide to SB 303 to give clients a brief synopsis, such as:


  • How do I budget for the year?

  • What are the deadlines for certifying mill levies?

  • Will the de-Gallagher measure allow the raising of mill levies, or has the new legislation undone previous voter approval?

  • The legislation may also prevent districts raising revenue beyond inflation.

About 20 clients are participating in a cost share for the guide that will be available in a month.

Gunderman said it would be beneficial to have the guide.

Powell said the combined district could share the information and only pay for one cost share.

Chief’s report

Kovacs presented the board with the April Chief’s report, and said:


  • Multiple station projects are in the planning process, with plans to remodel Station 2, 4 (Gleneagle Drive) and “Shamrock” Station 5 on Highway 83.

  • The district will probably build a new Station 3 in 2023 if the district can secure the land. The new station will incorporate the district administrative offices to accommodate the combined district staff with the consolidation, and additional staff will be needed.

  • The combined district ambulances typically last about five years, and the district will receive one ambulance at the end of the year and another is budgeted for 2024.

  • The new Type 1 Pierce Engine 514 was placed into service at Station 4 on April 29, with a community “push-in” ceremony. Squad car 575 was also pushed into service during the ceremony and has been placed at Station 5.

  • The district is expecting a Type 3 wildland engine this year after a delay of two years.

  • The tower ladder truck pre-construction meeting will take place in October and construction is expected to take about six months. The existing ladder truck at Station 1 will be placed in reserve, and the 75-foot ladder truck that DWFPD owned will be sold.

  • The community chipping program has begun and will continue most weekends, except for holidays, through October. The chipper will be staffed by two firefighters, and on some occasions two chippers will be in operation.

For more information, see the MFD article on page < 17 >. The full report can be viewed at www.monumentfire.org.

Volunteer pension board of trustees meeting

At the bi-annual DWFPD volunteer pension board of trustees meeting, the board heard about the passing of a former volunteer firefighter, discussed the status and funding of the Firefighters and Police Pension Association (FPPA) volunteer pension fund, received a trustee resignation, and approved a new trustee.

Former volunteer firefighter passes away

The board passed on their condolences to the family of former volunteer firefighter Larry Coburn. Coburn was also a retired law safety officer and is survived by his wife.

Pension fund status

Trustee Mike Badger said the FPPA had been requesting the board add funds to the FPPA volunteer pension fund since 2015, but none has been added. The fund has no further liability after the volunteer firefighter hiring program was closed. The 2023 budget did not include funding for the FPPA fund, and additional funding should be discussed during the 2024 budget process, he said. See www.ocn.me/v22n12.htm#dwfpd.

Powell said she takes no position on whether the board should pay into the FPPA fund now or not, there is no obligation, but the board has a fiduciary responsibility to keep the pension fully funded. However, on completion of the merger MFD will manage the FPPA fund. If at that time the FPPA fund is underfunded, the board would need to ensure it is fully funded before the merger is complete, she said.

Badger thanked Powell for the explanation and said that any decisions regarding changes to the 2022 Allocation Report could not be made until after the actuarial study had been received. The next actuarial study is expected in September or October.

Kovacs confirmed that no harm would come to the volunteer pension fund and the commitment from MFD will exist in perpetuity, he said.

Note: At the end of the regular meeting, Powell corrected her previous comment made during the volunteer pension board meeting and said that the pre-inclusion agreement stipulating MFD manage the pension fund cannot be drafted until after the November ballot, and only if the dissolution of the northern sub-district passes.

The board received the resignation of trustee Bill Lowes, and unanimously approved the appointment of Dennis Feltz to the vacant trustee position.

The next pension meeting is scheduled for Oct. 25 at 4 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

**********

Meetings are usually held every other month on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for July 26 at 4:30 p.m. Meeting attendance is open to the public in person or via Zoom. For joining instruction, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, March 22 – Local COVID emergency status ends; vehicle storage agreement approved

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on March 22, the board terminated the local COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration, approved a vehicle storage agreement for two nonprofit organizations, and recommended funding to memorialize a firefighter. The board also received multiple district updates and scheduled a special meeting in April to approve the sub-district dissolution process and amend the budget.

Note: The Board of Directors’ election was canceled due to a lack of additional candidates.

Director Mike Forsythe was excused.

Local COVID disaster emergency terminated

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said the district had been under a local disaster emergency since March 17, 2020 due to the SARS-COVID-19 virus, and he recommended the board approve Resolution 2023-02 ordering the termination of the declaration of the local disaster emergency. See www.ocn.me/v20n4.htm#dwfpd.

The board approved the resolution, 4-0.

Vehicle storage agreements

Michelle Ferguson of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm requested the board approve the vehicle storage agreements for two nonprofit organizations: Emergency Incident Support and the American Red Cross. The organizations are using the Sun Hills property (formerly DWFPD Station 3) for vehicle storage and food and beverage preparation. See www.ocn.me/v22n10.htm#dwfpd and www.ocn.me/v22n11.htm#dwfpd.

President Mark Gunderman said the contracts had been changed from a minimum liability of $5 million insurance coverage to $1 million for both parties in accordance with the value of the property.

The board approved the rental agreements, 4-0.

Note: Both organizations will use the Sun Hills property at no cost. The district paid about $7,932 in utilities for the Sun Hills property last year.

Request to memorialize firefighter

Lt. Roger Lance requested funding up to $1,500 for a memorialization plaque in honor of Firefighter/Paramedic Doug McIntyre. Lance said that McIntyre had served the Gleneagle community for 18 years and responded to over 10,000 calls during his career, saving countless lives. For many of the medics, he was their first partner and taught the difference between what was taught in EMT school and how it really works on the street. During his career, McIntyre was recognized by the Colorado State Assembly, by the U.S. Congress and was awarded the medal of valor, but most importantly he was a mentor, a brother, a friend, and an inspiration to the crews at Wescott. McIntyre took a medical retirement in 2017 and passed away unexpectedly in 2021, and the concern is that as time passes, his story will fade, Lance said.

Lt. Kurt Leonberger said that since McIntyre had built the roof on the gazebo at Station 4, the intent is to hold a small dedication service there and install a plaque in his honor.

Gunderman said the board is fully supportive of the project and that the decision ultimately falls to Kovacs.

Kovacs said the district is happy to honor the request, and the funding source will be identified. He requested Lance and Leonberger proceed with the project, and the district will find a day and time to celebrate the life of McIntyre.

Subdistrict dissolution process update

Ferguson requested the district hold a brief special meeting on April 24 at 4:30 p.m. to approve the letter that the district’s attorney, Emily Powell, was preparing for the sub-district dissolution. The letter allows the sub-district to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD). Until the merger is completed, for legal purposes the district is still Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District and doing business as MFD. The vast majority of the DWFPD residents reside in the sub-district (northern portion of the district). After board approval, a court petition will be filed around May 1, she said. See www.ocn.me/v23n2.htm#dwfpd.

The board approved the special meeting, 4-0.

Board of Directors election canceled

Incumbent Director Charles Fleece, Treasurer Duane Garrett, and Secretary Larry Schwarz all submitted self-nomination forms and will begin four-year tenures in May 2023. There were no additional candidates, and all three directors will continue on the five-member board. The cancellation of the election was posted at www.monumentfire.org in early March. For more information, see www.ocn.me/v23n2.htm#dwfpd.

Financial reports

Kovacs said that after the departure of Administrative Assistant Stacey Popovich in late 2022, the district had decided to contract The Accounting Office Inc. to handle accounting. The change in accounting procedures would require the board to adopt an amended budget at the next board meeting. The district had received the bulk of property taxes in early March, and the first of the quarterly fund transfers of $782,498 to MFD was scheduled to be made in March, he said. See www.ocn.me/v23n2.htm#dwfpd.

Gunderman said the December financial report would be accepted after the budget amendment had been approved at the next meeting, and the cancellation of the election would provide $32,000 in additional budgeted funds for the November election.

The board accepted the January and February financial reports as presented, 4-0.

Above: The new Pierce Type 1 engine arrives in Monument on Feb. 13. The engine will receive equipment and be placed into service at Station 4 after a “push-in” ceremony in April. Photo courtesy of MFD.

Chief’s report

Kovacs said the following:

  • An update from district employee Firefighter/Paramedic Charles Ragland, the instructor representing the district at the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s Fire Academy, confirmed the seven district firefighter recruits are performing well.
  • The district completed 824 hours of training in February.
  • Emergency Medical Services responded to three out of four requests for service from American Medical Response. The number of requests remain steady compared to the first quarter of 2022.
  • Station 5 (Highway 83/Stage Coach Road) received back-lit red signage to match Stations 1 and 4.
  • Both water heaters were replaced at Station 5, and the rooftop HVAC unit at Station 4 was replaced. The units cost $15,000 to $20,000 each.

Note: Additional information can be found in the MFD article on page < 21 >, and the monthly chief’s reports are available at www.monumentfire.org.

NEPCO meeting

Gunderman said he and Kovacs spoke at the Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) meeting on March 11. He talked to a group of about 20 representatives from various Monument and Gleneagle homeowners’ associations about the merger of the two districts, and Kovacs spoke to the group about wildland mitigation, he said. See the NEPCO article on page < 22 >.

Engine crew assist during water main break

Fleece thanked Engineer Golden Rains and his crew for assisting during a water main break in his neighborhood in February. He said that it was lucky the crew had just wrapped up training when the water main break occurred. Academy Water and Sanitation District (AWSD) estimated about 2,200 gallons per minute were headed toward the barn on his property, and Rains and his crew helped for almost an hour until AWSD staff arrived, and he appreciated the Fire Department going above and beyond, he said.

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

**********

Push-in ceremony

After the meeting, Kovacs announced that Local 4319 will serve a pancake breakfast and hold a community “push-in” ceremony for the new engine 514 and the squad car on Sat., April 15, 10 am at Station 4. 15415 Gleneagle Drive, 80921. Please check the district website listed below for updates.

**********

Meetings are usually held every other month on the fourth Wednesday at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105, 80132. The board will hold a special meeting on April 26 at 4:30 p.m., and the next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 24 at 4:30 p.m. Meeting attendance is open to the public in person or via Zoom. For joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescot Fire Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Jan. 25 – Sun Hills storage agreement approved; subdistrict dissolution process begins

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on Jan. 25, the board approved the Sun Hills property (formerly Station 3) for use as a storage facility; discussed the sub-district dissolution process; heard about a 911 Hero award recipient; approved an accounting firm, a letter of engagement for the 2022 audit; and received multiple updates to include the Board of Directors’ election and new station apparatus.

Secretary Larry Schwarz and Director Mike Forsythe were excused.

Vehicle storage agreement

District attorney Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm said the disposal of the Sun Hills (former Station 3) was on hold. In the interim she had drafted a vehicle storage agreement for the property to allow the American Red Cross and Emergency Incident Support (EIS) to store their vehicles and equipment at Station 3. The contract can be quickly retracted by the district with a 10-day termination provision and a liability clause should either agency damage each other’s property/vehicles or any personnel injury occur. The contract allows the facility to be put to community use until a permanent decision is made, said Powell. See www.ocn.me/v22n11.htm#dwfpd.

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said that EIS had resumed use of the facility in mid-January to keep their vehicles out of the elements. Each agency will be required to hold a combined $5 million insurance policy, he said.

Treasurer Duane Garrett recommended the board witness the proof of insurance and proof of insurance be stipulated in the contract.

President Mark Gunderman, Garrett and Director Charles Fleece agreed that Kovacs could simply witness the proof of insurance from EIS President Gary Nelson.

The board approved the vehicle storage agreement as drafted, 3-0.

Subdistrict dissolution process

Powell said the transfer process of stations and equipment as part of the merger process between DWFPD and the Monument Fire District (MFD) had been completed. See www.ocn.me/v22n1.htm#dwfpd. The next phase is to dissolve the subdistrict (the majority of the residents in the north of the district) and raise the regular district’s mill levy (southern enclave: small residential area at the south end of Voyager Parkway, between Old Ranch Road and Briargate Boulevard) to something more equitable with MFD. The board will be required to pass a resolution proposing a plan of dissolution to dissolve the subdistrict. The Wescott subdistrict will need to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the district (southern enclave), agreeing to take over services. MFD is already providing services to DWFPD, she said.

Gunderman said the majority of the Wescott residents will eventually see a drop in the mill levy by a few mills.

Powell said the subdistrict pays a total of 21.9 mills, consisting of 14.9 mills overlayed with the 7 mills that the southern district pays. The intent is to dissolve the subdistrict and then the 14.9 mills will go away. At the same time the district mill levy of 7 mills will be increased, but the vast majority of residents will see a decrease in the mill levy, said Powell.

Note: Monument residents are assessed 18.4 mills for fire protection services.

Powell said the documents may be ready for approval at the March meeting, but a special meeting in April (via Zoom only) could be necessary. The process will then require court approval for the plan of dissolution, she said.

Gleneagle resident receives award

Division Chief of Operations Jonathan Bradley said the district had participated in a 911 Hero Award presentation to a 10-year-old girl in Gleneagle. The award was in recognition of the girl calmly relaying her message to dispatch services during a medical emergency that occurred at her home. The award would typically be presented at school, but at her request the award was received at her home along with a sheriff’s deputy, and MFD invited Santa along for the ceremony.

Chief’s report

Kovacs highlighted a few items from the combined November and December report and said that after he became fire chief in January 2021, a five-year strategic plan was implemented in January 2022. The plan, set to expire in 2026, includes internal and external surveys and the ESCI study from May 2019. The district completed all the initiatives for 2022 with the exception of the standards of coverage and community risk assessment as part of the accreditation process and an engine company inspection program. The inspection program will be composed of firefighters providing annual life safety inspections, checking gas safety shutoffs, Knox-Box locations, fire hydrant locations, and special hazards. An independent company is developing program, but it has not been completed, and that is the only reason why that initiative was moved to 2023.

Battalion Chief Scott Ridings is “knee deep” in compiling the accreditation data, and completion is expected in the summer. He is proud of the staff for accomplishing all the 2022 tasks in addition to the unification process. And he said:

  • Conversations continue with QuikTrip Corp., with a view to purchasing land for a future fire station/training tower site at Baptist Road and Terrazzo Drive.
  • The district received a grant of $1,488 from The Tri-Lakes Lions Club, and those funds will be used to purchase radio chargers for the squad vehicle.
  • The squad vehicle will receive additional equipment and it is in service at “Shamrock” Station 5, Highway 83 and Stage Coach Road.
  • A traditional “push-in” ceremony to announce the arrival of the anticipated new Pierce Engine for Station 4, Gleneagle Drive, will be a community event, said Kovacs. For updates see www.monumentfire.org.

Note: The district conducts a push-in ceremony whenever a new engine is placed into service. In the past, these events have occurred during a shift change. See www.ocn.me/v22n5.htm#dwfpd and page < 27 > in www.ocn.me/v19n7.

Kovacs said that Pierce Manufacturing is taking up to 36 months to build engines, and the district will need to place orders soon.

Powell said that some orders are now taking 44 months.

Manufacturers are aiming to speed up the process, said Kovacs.

Note: The board of directors for both districts receive the same monthly updates for the combined district. For additional information, see MFD article on page < 21 >. The monthly activity reports can be found at www.monumentfire.org.

Board of Directors election 2023

Powell said the district conducted a Board of Directors’ election in May 2022, and that was the last election cycle to complete the state-mandated transition from even to odd years. The positions held by Directors Fleece, Garrett and Schwarz are all up for four-year tenures in May 2023. If all goes as planned with the merger, the district will not exist by 2027. If no additional candidates complete the self-nomination forms by Feb. 24, the election can be canceled. Kovacs will be the designated election official, she said. For self-nomination form instructions, visit www.monumentfire.org.

The board approved Resolution 2023-01, calling for a regular election, 3-0.

Accounting services contract

Powell requested the board approve the accounting services of The Accounting Office Inc. for $450 per month.

The board approved the accounting service, 3-0.

Financial report

The December financial report was unavailable for the January meeting.

2022 audit engagement

Kovacs requested the board review and consider approving a letter of engagement for Erickson, Brown, and Kloster LLC to conduct the 2022 audit. DWFPD used the same auditors for the 2021 audit, and the audit will include a presentation to the board, said Kovacs.

The board approved the engagement letter, 3-0.

The board meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m.

**********

Meetings are usually held every other month on the fourth Wednesday of the month at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for March 22 at 4:30 p.m. Meeting attendance is open to the public in person or via Zoom. For joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles