OCN

Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

OCN > mfd

mfd

Monument Fire District, Oct. 8 and 23 – 2025 proposed budget presentations

By Natalie Barszcz

The Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) held a special meeting on Oct. 8 after the Sept. 25 meeting was postponed due to a lack of quorum. The board received the first presentation of the 2025 budget and accepted a petition for inclusion of real property, before setting a public hearing for the special meeting on Nov. 13.

At the regular meeting on Oct. 23, the board received the second presentation of the 2025 proposed budget with some minor updates. The board heard about a study of impact fees and sales tax collection and received updates at both meetings on the remodel of Stations 4 and 2, the Station 1 training center, the Station 3 rebuild design, and the land purchase for a future Station 6.

For updates on the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) merger process, see the DWFPD article on page < 7 >.

Vice President John Hildebrandt was excused on Oct 8. President Mike Smaldino was excused on Oct. 23.

2025 proposed budget presentations

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said a few changes were made to the proposed 2025 budget after the first presentation on Oct. 8, and he reviewed the budget highlighting the following:

  • The projected property tax revenue is about $18 million (combines both MFD and about $4 million in DWFPD property taxes) and the district anticipates, with miscellaneous revenue, specific ownership tax, ambulance revenue, an EMS supplement, the remaining DWFPD contract, and wildland deployment revenue, a total of about $24.235 million (up about $2.189 million from 2024).
  • The projected expenses are estimated to be about $18.727 million for 2025, with about $11.725 million dedicated to wages and about $3.5 million for benefits.
  • The district will maintain a competitive salary and benefits package, and is thankfully not losing employees to South Metro and other agencies that are of like size and comparable to the district.
  • The district will maintain training and educational opportunities.
  • Benefits continue to rise, as the workforce is marrying, having families, and driving costs up for health insurance and overtime during maternity and paternity leave.
  • The district will begin a hiring process on Jan. 1, 2025 for a part-time bookkeeper position with a salary of $50,000. The district has had about four or five since he became fire chief, and he proposed cancelling the existing contract. A part-time bookkeeper will save several thousand dollars.
  • The ending general operations fund balance is expected to be about $4.673 million and necessary to cover operating expenses for the first quarter of 2025. The bulk of the property tax revenue is received in March. The district general operations (wages and benefits) cost is about $1.5 million per month.

Treasurer Tom Kelly said the bulk of the district expenses is used for human resources, and the district did not spend all of the allocated funds for the capital improvements in 2024.

Kovacs said the processes for the capital improvements are taking longer than anticipated.

Note: The public hearing for the proposed 2025 budget will be held at the special meeting on Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Property tax revenue decrease

Kovacs said that although the district is not proposing a mill levy increase for 2025, it is anticipating a property tax valuation decrease of about $1.242 or about 6.4% in FY2025 due to the state Legislature passing SB 24-233 and HB 24B-1001, in response to the failure of Propositions 50 and 108 in November 2023. The future economic situation of the district could be impacted due to some of the legislation that passed earlier in 2024 and the increased cost of human resources, apparatus, material goods, and services, he said.

NEXUS study required

Kovacs said the department is considering diversifying revenue sources and seeking impact fees and levying sales tax as a result of SB24-194 passing in early 2024. Fire protection districts are now permitted to collect impact fees in unincorporated areas of the county and collect sales tax to boost revenue. In the past, the district was permitted only to collect impact fees for properties built within the Town of Monument (TOM). Fire chiefs had requested county-wide impact fees through the El Paso County Board of Commissioners in 2018, but those requests were denied. The state fire chiefs successfully presented the need for impact fees in unincorporated areas to the state House of Representatives in early 2024. The 2025 budget includes $20,000 to engage a consultant to conduct a NEXUS study that is required before implementing the impact fees and/or sales tax, he said.

Future hiring

Executive Battalion Chief Micah Coyle said the district had received 152 applications for future firefighter positions, a record number for the district. About 75 applicants passed the written exam for an entry-level firefighter position and about 55 have been selected for an oral board interview to create a list of potential hires.

Kovacs said the high number of applicants was due to the district’s social media company “Red Energy,” but the district is not hiring firefighters until the financial future is known. However, an eligibility list will be retained in the event that retirements or resignations occur.

Financial report

Treasurer Tom Kelly said that as of Sept. 30, the district is at 75% of the total amount to be considered in line with annual projections. Overall revenue year to date is about $22.5 million, approximately 102% of the projected 2024 income budget set at about $22 million. (That includes a little over $2 million for the Wescott contract for services). Overall expenses year to date are about $12.527 million or 76.6% of the projected expense budget set at about $16.336 million. Overtime is at 107.16% year to date or about $51,000 over the budgeted $710,000 annual budget for the shift workers. The board reviewed 30 electronic transmissions over $2,500 for August at the Oct. 8 meeting, and 22 for September on Oct. 23. Of note were:

  • $118,470 PNC Equipment Lease Engine Lease Payment
  • $80,208 OZ Architecture Training Center/Fire Station 2 & 3
  • $82,336 Flintco LLC Station 4 remodel
  • $9,935 Wex Bank Inc. Fleet Fuel
  • $36,998 Elevate Healthcare EMS Mannequin
  • • $24,330 Strategic Site Design Training Center
  • $8,186 OZ Architecture Fire Stations 2, 3, and 4
  • $141,473 Flintco LLC Fire Station 4
  • $8,552 Wex Bank LLC Fleet Fuel
  • $107,700 TLMFPD Gen Ops Fund Deposit Reserve Account

Every transaction appeared appropriate and within the 2024 budget, Kelly said. As of Sept. 30, the checking and savings accounts totaled about $20.534 million with about $13.2 million in the Operations and General Fund, he said.

The board accepted the financial reports as presented, 6-0.

Kovacs said multiple factors were causing the increase in overtime hours for the shift workers, such as the DWFPD staff moving to the MFD payroll and maternity/paternity leave, and the district has experienced the highest number of workers compensation injuries in 2024.

Station 4 remodel

Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner thanked the board for approving the remodel of Station 4, Gleneagle Drive. He received numerous positive comments from the residents and the crews at the ribbon-cutting event on Oct. 12. The district has budgeted about $8.632 million to complete the northside paramedic accommodation at Station 4, Gleneagle Drive. See snapshot on page < 21 >.

Station 2 remodel

Bumgarner said the district received nine bids for the remodel of Station 2, Roller Coaster Road. John Sattler of NV5, the district’s owners representative, will review the bids and the recommendation will be presented to the board on Nov. 13. The district budgeted about $2 million for the project scheduled to begin in January 2025.

Station 1 Training Center

Bumgarner said the district is ready for a public hearing with the Town of Monument Planning Commission in late January or early February and a hearing with Monument Town Council in March. The district will likely be moving dirt and installing infrastructure for the training center at Station 1 in mid-2025, and building could begin in early fall. He has been attending meetings with the town planners to work through the process to plat the site.

Fire Station 3 update

Bumgarner said the final site plan for the platting of the lot north of YMCA, the future Station 3 location, is almost finished. The district will likely break ground in late 2025 due to the site development taking up most of the year. The district expects to close on the land purchase mid-year, and the building phase will take at least two years until completion.

Land purchase future Station 6

Bumgarner said due to the district having no site plan for the 2-acre parcel the district is planning to purchase from QuikTrip for a future Station 6, the TOM is taking a different direction on the plat approval for the land. He is working with the town planners to develop a site plan, but the cost will be to the district to plat the site. It is a difficult not knowing what the district will develop on the site in the future, he said.

Vehicle storage agreement

The board approved an Assignment and Assumption agreement for vehicle storage at its Sun Hills Drive property, the former DWFPD Station 3. See DWFPD article on page < 7 >.

Inclusion request

At the Oct. 8 meeting, Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley said the district had received a request for inclusion into the district in a rural area of the district at 5775 Mountain Shadow View, Colorado Springs.

The board approved the request for the inclusion, pending the public hearing on Nov. 13.

Note: The chief’s report and the financial report can be found at www.monumentfire.org.

The special meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. on Oct 8. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on Oct 23.

**********

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Microsoft Teams virtual 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 Monument Fire District articles

Monument Fire District, Sept. 25 – Meeting postponed due to lack of quorum

By Natalie Barszcz

The Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Sept. 25 was postponed after 15 minutes when the participants realized a quorum could not be reached. A “special meeting” will be scheduled in early October to allow the board to receive the first presentation of the 2025 budget, updates on the Station 1 training center, the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) merger process, the Station 3 rebuild design, and the land purchase for a future Station 6. The board will also be presented with a petition for inclusion of real property.

President Michael Smaldino, Vice President John Hildebrandt, Secretary Jason Buckingham were excused. Directors Randall Estes and Duane Garrett did not attend the meeting.

Station 4 remodel ribbon cutting celebration

The public is invited to celebrate the completion of the Station 4 remodel ribbon cutting on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. at the station, 15415 Gleneagle Drive.

Annual Pumpkin Giveaway!

The L4319 Monument Professional Firefighters will hold the Annual Pumpkin Giveaway on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Monument Marketplace Clock Tower, 15986 Jackson Creek Parkway. The firefighters are accepting non-perishable food items to donate to the annual food drive for Tri-Lakes Cares.

**********

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. A “special meeting” to cover the agenda items for the postponed regular September meeting will be held on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Microsoft Teams virtual 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 Monument Fire District articles

Monument Fire District, Aug. 28 – District opposes ballot initiatives 50 and 108; station 3 design revised

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Aug. 28, the board received a presentation on the updated design for the new Station 2 from OZ Architecture, and approved Resolution 2024-11, opposing ballot initiatives 50 and 108. The board also received updates on the Station 3 rebuild design, the merger process, and a closest response unit agreement with Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD). The board held an executive session to develop a negotiation strategy and instruct negotiations on possible lease purchase of real property.

President Mike Smaldino and Vice President John Hildebrandt did not attend.

District opposed to ballot initiatives

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said two ballot initiatives for the November ballot would have significant financial impacts to fire districts and other “special districts” in Colorado. The initiatives are attempting to cap property tax revenue for fire districts to the district’s detriment. The Colorado Legislature convened for another special session this week on the subject of property taxes that will likely continue for a couple more days, because there has not been much consensus on what to do. A new state Senate bill is being proposed to make modifications to SB-233 (approved earlier this year), and if approved, the author of initiatives 50 and 108 will remove the two initiatives from the ballot. Unfortunately, SB-233 does not bode well for fire districts either, because it will also reduce property tax revenue. Fire chiefs from across the state were hoping for an amendment to carve fire districts out of the bill, but it was defeated, he said.

The district will start to develop the 2025 budget with a 20% reduction in property tax revenue, and likely extensions will be given for the deadline submittal of the 2025 budget, delayed again due to the late changes in legislation. The district has been in contact with local elected officials, expressing concerns over the legislation, so the district will take a cautious fiscal approach to 2025 with no plans to hire firefighters, said Kovacs. He requested the board approve Resolution 2024, opposing initiatives 50 and 108.

Treasurer Tom Kelly said he had read an article that morning that mentioned state backfill to fire districts for the loss in revenue next year would take about a third of the general fund, so backfill from the state next year cannot be counted on. See TMD article on page < 16 >.

The board approved Resolution 2024-11, opposing initiatives 50 and 108, in a 5-0 vote.

Station 3 rebuild update

Kovacs said the staff had gone back to the drawing board with OZ Architecture at the direction of the board to refine the details for the Station 3 rebuild, after the first presentation on May 29. See https://wp.ocn.me/v24n7mfd.

Kevin Shaffer from OZ Architecture presented the potential design for the rebuild of Station 3 on a 2-acre lot north of the YMCA, Jackson Creek Parkway, described the floor plan changes, and said:

  • The floor plan is similar to the last presentation and still presents with the potential for future administrative offices.
  • The design still shows four apparatus bays, storage space, bunker gear, and decontamination area.
  • An 825-square-foot training room will be larger than the Station 1 training room.
  • The size of the courtyard is reduced, and the entrance has a similar sequence as the initial plan.
  • The bedrooms are now organized away from the mechanical equipment.
  • The layout is slightly different, with room to add administrative offices at a later date.
  • A six-to-eight-person elevator is included to reach the accommodation area on the second floor. All two-story and above public buildings are required by code to include an elevator. An ADA compliant bathroom will be located in the lobby.
  • The training tower was moved to a central location, and the interior mezzanine can also be used for training purposes.
  • The size is reduced considerably from the previous design of about 23,000 square feet with the administrative offices, to 18,328 square feet with room to add office space later.

Eric Becker of OZ Architecture showed a series of early concept perspective views, all depicting a reserved modern design with glass to provide natural light, and a mostly brick exterior, incorporating soft grays and tans, with some wood for the soffits, using natural materials. He said the station will have:

  • Window controls and black-out shades.
  • Tower with potential for light on-site training and allowing daylight into the bays and mezzanine with room for storage and creating that civic landmark that says “fire station.”
  • The dynamic roof form design will provide coverage and draw the eye to the horizon and beyond.

The board thanked the team for the presentation and said they were impressed with the revised conceptual design.

Shaffer said the design is quite a departure from the previous concept, and the interesting thing about the site is there is not a lot of contiguous contexts. There is an opportunity to make a civic expression, he said.

Above: OZ Architecture exterior design for the rebuild of Station 3. Image courtesy of MFD.

Financial report

Treasurer Tom Kelly said that as of July 31, the district was at 58.3% of the total amount of the predicted budget and considered in line with projections. Overall revenue year to date is about $20.166 million, about 91.4% of the projected 2024 income budget set at about $22 million. (Includes a little over $2 million for the Wescott contract for services.) Overall expenses year to date are about $9.649 million or 59% of the projected expense budget set at about $16.336 million. The board reviewed 22 electronic transmissions for July over $2,500, and of note were:

  • $10,000 Midwest Fire Water tender down payment
  • $107,493 OZ Architecture Training Center/Fire Station 3 and 4
  • $128,371 Flintco LLC Station 4 remodel
  • $8,602 Wex Bank Inc. Fleet fuel
  • $16,934 CBIZ 2023 audit

Every transaction appeared appropriate and within the 2024 budget, Kelly said. The checking and savings accounts totaled about $21.749 million (about $16 million in the Operations and General Fund). The General Operations Fund increased by about $5 million from the June 30 financial report; the primary increase was based upon the new inclusion of property taxes, said Kelly.

The board accepted the financial report as presented in a 5-1 vote.

Training center update

Kovacs said the training center project continues as scheduled and is going through the PUD and re-platting of the property to accommodate district partner Front Range Apparatus on 2 acres of the 14-acre site adjacent to Station 1. The district received some documents earlier in the week validating the submittal to the Town of Monument for approval, so the project is moving forward as scheduled, he said.

Merger update

Kovacs said that as part of the merger process, he will accompany Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) legal counsel at the end of September when they go before the county judge for the hearing to approve the dissolution of DWFPD. There are a few loose ends to tie up before the end of the calendar year, just finishing up some of the final details with the Firefighters Police Pension Association, specific to the Volunteer Firefighters Pension Association Fund, but everything is on track and looking favorable, he said. The district does not expect any concerns to present, and the two districts will officially be unified by the end of the year in readiness for the 2025 fiscal year. “We are in the home stretch,” he said.

Closest response units

Kovacs said the district has developed a specific closest response unit arrangement with BFFRPD. The arrangement includes EMS and engine units and is in addition to existing mutual aid partners. The agreement will provide the public with a faster unit response, he said.

Note: The chief’s report and the financial report can be found at www.monumentfire.org.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 7:18 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(e) to develop a negotiation strategy and instruct negotiations on possible lease-purchase of real property.

Kovacs confirmed to OCN that after the board returned to the regular meeting at 8:12 p.m., no further action was taken by the board.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

**********

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Microsoft Teams virtual 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 Monument Fire District articles

Monument Fire District, July 24 – Gas odor increases call volume; district recognized for supporting prescribed burn

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on July 24, the board heard about an unprecedented temporary call volume increase, witnessed district recognition for its support, approved the Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) Volunteer Firefighter Pension Plan (VFPP) Affiliation Agreement, a part of the merger process, and a board meeting time change for 2025. The board also received updates on the Station 3 rebuild design, the merger process, and a mechanical CPR device.

President Mike Smaldino and Secretary Jason Buckingham were excused. Director Randall Estes did not attend.

Gas odor increases calls

Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley said the district received an unprecedented increase in calls July 13-14 due to a Black Hills Energy (BHE) failure of the auto injecting Mercaptan (methanethiol, a harmless pungent smelling gas) that odorizes the odorless natural gas was far higher level than recommended. That led to over 70 calls from residents concerned about gas leaks in homes in Woodmoor and other communities from the evening of July 13 onward. BHE crews identified and fixed the problem, but due to low gas usage during the summer, the problem persisted.

BHE purged a gas line north of Kings Deer on the afternoon of July 14 and call volume lowered, but it did not solve the problem. After purging another line near the U.S. Forest Service on the west side of Monument on the morning of July 15, the call volume dropped immediately. The district was receiving calls every 10-15 minutes during the weekend and responding about 2.5 times per hour.

Bradley said 911 Dispatch did a nice job cueing calls, and the district adapted quickly and found some ways to do things better. BHE kept the district informed and was working as hard as they could to resolve the problem, Bradley said. BHE did not put out a statement on its website during the failure in case a real gas leak emergency occurred. The districts’ response was tested and modifications were made to allow crews to respond to the true emergency calls, he said.

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said he was surprised to learn that a sensor to monitor the Mercaptan level is not in place. The district will set up a time for an after-action review with the BHE staff to discuss a future response plan.

District receives recognition

Fire Management Officer Tim Ross of the Pikes Peak Ranger District (PPRD), serving with the U.S. Forest Service, recognized MFD for supporting the prescribed burn and the Monument Fire Center during the burn on June 12 and 13 in the area known as “The Preserve” in Monument. See wp.ocn.me/v24n7mfd/ and the caption and photo inset of the presentation. Ross thanked the district for its continued support and said the PPRD looks forward to returning with the prescribed burn effort in the future. Ross also said the prescribed burn went well and stayed where it was supposed to, and nobody was injured.

Two-thirds of the effort was accomplished, and in hindsight the third day burn of about 300 acres could have taken place and the burn would be done, but the decision not to burn on the third day was based on the precipitation that never came. The partnerships and training aspect, the people on the ground implementing the burn, and the public education went well, Ross said. It was a successful prescribed burn that will encourage re-growth, he said. The goal was not to eliminate any one species but an attempt to return the area to its original state and restore the balance with not as much scrub oak, hence the mosaic burn pattern, said Ross.

Above: From left, Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley receives a geographical framed map of the burn area from Fire Management Officer Tim Ross of the Pikes Peak Ranger District during the July 24 MFD board meeting. Ross said Bradley displayed superior efforts in bringing the Monument prescribed fire to fruition. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.
Above: From left, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs is presented with a watercolor rendition of Monument Rock from Fire Management Officer Ross at the MFD board meeting on July 24. The district supported the U.S. Forest Service in the preparation for the prescribed burn, and during the event on June 12 and 13 in the area known as Monument Preserve. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Financial report

Treasurer Tom Kelly said all funding streams look good and ambulance revenue is right on target half way through the budget year as of June 30. Overall revenue year to date is about $13.659 million, approximately 61.9% of the projected 2024 income budget set at about $22 million. Expenses are all tracking with wages coming back in line and overall expenses year to date are about $8.347 million or 51.0% of the projected expense budget set at about $16.336 million.

The board had 23 electronic transmissions over $2,500, and of note were:

  • $63,498 Liquid Structures Station 4 concrete apron
  • $20,147 NV5 Inc. Station 3 agreement
  • $216,671 Flintco LLC Station 4 remodel
  • $10,303 Wex Bank Inc. Fleet fuel
  • $104,390 PNC Equipment Finance Engine lease payment

Every transaction appeared appropriate and within the 2024 budget, and the checking and savings accounts totaled about $16.743 million (about $10.833 million in the Operations and General Fund), said Kelly.

Kovacs said the increase was due to the transfer of funds from DWFPD and additional property tax revenue, he said.

Note: District revenue increased by about $1.581 million from the May 31 financial report.

In a 4-0 vote, the board accepted the financial report as presented.

2024-25 budget update

Kovacs said the district will amend the 2025 budget after the 2024 audit presentation. A significant amount of funds is allocated to the district’s capital projects, but because of the length of the planning processes, funds have not been spent in 2024. The district will be rolling over funds into fiscal year 2025 and will be under budget in totality at the end of 2024, even though the Station 4 remodel is over budget, Kovacs said. Funds will be re-allocated from the unspent budgeted capital expenditure for the additional expenditures, he said.

Station 3 rebuild update

Executive Battalion Chief Micah Coyle said the rebuild of Station 3 on a 2-acre lot north of the YMCA on Jackson Creek Parkway is still in the discovery phase, and the district is working with the seller to get the plat and site plan approved by the Town of Monument (TOM). See wp.ocn.me/v24n7mfd/.

Vice President John Hildebrandt said the district has been waiting on the plat approval for quite a while and he questioned the delay.

Bradley said the TOM moratorium on plat approvals expired last week, and even though the district’s plans were not technically subject to the hold, a lot of projects will now be submitted to the Planning Department. He attends a standing weekly meeting with the planning team to review pre-applications and plans, but it is unknown where the plan is in the process with the team of planners, he said. See MTC article on page < 1 >.

Kovacs said the developer is still making amendments, not only to subdivide the 2-acre parcel the district is purchasing adjacent to the YMCA on Jackson Creek Parkway but also the entire 11-acre property that will require subdividing into lots, he said.

Merger update

Coyle said Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm is ready to file the dissolution request with the courts on July 26, and the process could take up to 50 days.

Affidavits from the three eligible voting members, two board directors and a spouse supporting the dissolution of the district will be presented, but the presiding judge could call for a three-person election on Dec. 3. See DWFPD article on page < 8 >.

Hildebrandt asked why an election might be necessary now and said it had not been part of the original plan. He said he thought the process was to just absorb the two remaining properties and the dissolution would be finalized sooner.

Kovacs said the judge could technically call for a vote of the three remaining residents, and the earliest date would be Dec. 3, but if the judge is reasonable the election process will be skipped due to the three remaining eligible voters signing affidavits approving the dissolution. Powell is confident an election will not be necessary, he said.

Director Mark Gunderman said Powell has worked many fire district mergers, and an election is a worst-case scenario. In most cases, an election has never been necessary, he said.

Powell is confident the merger will be “buttoned up” by the end of the year, said Kovacs.

Volunteer Firefighter Pension Plan

Coyle requested the board approve the DWFPD Volunteer Firefighter Pension Plan (VFPP) Affiliation Agreement. See wp.ocn.me/v24n7dwfpd/.

Kovacs said the agreement was missed during the document signing last month. This agreement allows the district to assume management of the VFPP.

Hildebrandt asked if the VFPP would have any liabilities on MFD.

Gunderman said the VFPP is solvent on its own because of how it has been run, and no other recipients will be added to the fund, and it will continue to be fully funded.

Kovacs said the VFPP is self-funded, and a healthy account and the actuarial report are used to determine increased funding. A line item will be added for the 2025 budget for the VFPP, but the district will not add funds this year because the fund is so healthy, he said.

The board approved the VFPP affiliation agreement in a 4-0 vote.

Meeting time change

Hildebrandt said the meeting time was changed a few years ago from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., when the Woodmoor Fire Department and Tri-Lakes Fire Department merged. He said it would be his preference to keep the same time to allow working board members and residents to attend.

Kelly said at the June board meeting he had requested the board review the meeting time in the interest of overtime savings and fiscal responsibility. Changing the meeting times to earlier in the day would prevent overtime costs when staff must stay for meetings. The goal is to continue fiscal responsibility with the increase of capital improvements and remain prudent with the district funds, said Kelly.

Kovacs said the executive branch including himself, Bradley and Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner are exempt from receiving overtime, and it depends on the length of the meetings, but an average meeting is about two hours, so about four hours of overtime is incurred monthly for Coyle and for Director of Administration Jennifer Martin because their work day ends at 4:30 p.m.

Gunderman said he never witnessed a difference in attendance during his time on the Wescott board that typically meets at 4:30 p.m., and due to COVID-19 restrictions the regular resident attendees joined via Zoom and continued to do so, and the in-person attendees continued to show up. Working from home, he sets his own schedule and is flexible and has never seen any public push back even if the meeting is earlier than 4:30 p.m. Gunderman said he would not have a problem with an earlier meeting but suggested no earlier than 4:30 p.m.

Director Duane Garrett confirmed that whenever he had a work conflict during his tenure on the Wescott board, he joined via Zoom and rarely missed a meeting.

This reporter suggested the board consider saving half the overtime costs by meeting at 4:30 p.m., since the DWFPD meetings will no longer be held in 2025.

Kovacs said it is not uncommon for attendees to hang around between meetings, but moving the meeting to 4:30 p.m. would not entirely save on overtime costs, but it may be more convenient, and if it does not work the board can always change the time, he said.

Hildebrandt said it would have been difficult when he worked full time to attend at 4:30 p.m.

Kelly made a motion to change the meeting time to 4:30 p.m.; it was seconded by Garrett.

The board approved the time change, with meetings held on the fourth Wednesday, beginning in 2025, in a 4-1 vote; Hildebrandt dissented.

EMS calls

Coyle said the district purchased a LUCAS device that administers mechanical CPR, all crews have trained on the unit, and it is in service on Squad 575 at Station 5. It will be used during all district cardiac arrest calls.

Hildebrandt asked if the device would be better located at Station 4.

Kovacs said the district hopes to purchase a device per year, if finances are available, to have three total for each ambulance. Squad 575 with a lieutenant and engineer is the support for the first responding unit to cardiac arrest calls.

Hildebrandt said a potentially life-saving piece of equipment could not be farther away from a good portion of the district as you can get and Station 1 is a prime example.

Bradley said the device is not necessarily a first-response device, and it does not matter where the device goes. The decision to place the device on Squad 575, a non-transport vehicle, was made to ensure it is always available in district until enough devices are available for the ambulances, he said.

Note: The chief’s report and the financial report can be found at www.monumentfire.org.

The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

**********

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Microsoft Teams virtual 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 Monument Fire District (MFD) articles

Monument Fire District, June 26 – Controlled burn successful; station rebuild design approved

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on June 26, the board heard about the outcome of the controlled burn in Monument Preserve, approved the Station 3 rebuild design and a land purchase for a future station, received updates on the station remodels, approved the transfer of the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) Volunteer Firefighter Pension Fund (VFPF), and approved a quit claim deed to transfer the Sun Hills property to the district. The board accepted the 2023 audit presentation.

President Mike Smaldino and Director Duane Garrett were excused. Director Randall Estes did not attend.

Controlled burn outcome

Division Chief of Community Risk Jonathan Bradley, acting as liaison to the U.S. Forest Service and the community for the controlled burn in Monument Preserve, said Congress designated the forests along the Front Range from Fort Collins to Pueblo as high risk for wildfire, and that allowed the individual forest districts to access funds for mitigation projects.

The plan was to masticate areas and then conduct a controlled burn, far more effective than one without the other. The complexity of burning an area surrounded by homes on three sides was challenging, but burning fuels in the winter months would not have been as effective, and windy, dry conditions throughout the spring would have had a greater impact on the residents. Fifty members of Team Rubicon mitigated the undergrowth in the area adjacent to Shiloh Pines and Forest View Acres; the district assisted with two chipping crews. The weather and fuel moistures dictated the time of the burn, combined with when the leaf-out period began.

The initial plan was pushed back by a day and began on June 12 and ended June 13. Two sections did get hotter than planned and some trees were burnt, but it opened up the canopy a little bit, the insects and woodpeckers are taking advantage of the dead trees, and the scorched trees will recover. The 600-acre burn went as planned, and the U.S. Forest Service met many of its objectives despite not burning the third day. The 300 acres in the third area may be burned in 2025 or 2026, said Bradley.

Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner said the Interlaken Fire began on the same day the prescribed burn commenced, and that fire was contained due to previous forest mitigation efforts.

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said a good working relationship has been established with the U.S. Forest Service and the district ranger. The district had units assigned to the area to assist, and it was a great success, he said. See the On the Trail column on page < 19 >.

Station 3 rebuild design

The board held a workshop on May 29 to discuss the Station 3 design. The presentation detailed four options for the rebuild of Station 3 on about 2 acres adjacent and north of the YMCA on Jackson Creek Parkway. OZ Architects gave a two-hour presentation with board discussion. The general feeling of the board was to proceed with caution and remove the administrative office option to reduce costs.

At the June 26 meeting, Bumgarner requested the board approve one of four design options to allow the design concept to be submitted to the town for approval. The design concept is required during the land approval process, he said.

Treasurer Tom Kelly said he favored the phased approach, which will jack up the cost in the long run by adding administrative offices at a later date, but it will meet the immediate need with room for growth and is the optimum design, he said.

Kovacs requested the fourth option Kelly suggested for about $18 million to construct a two-story, 17,000-square-foot fire station with 10 dormitories (allows option to add additional firefighters), four bays, and space to allow the addition of administrative offices. The design adds $1 million to the cost but allows enough space to grow and was the staff’s selection.

The administrative office space at Old Forest Point meets the current staffing needs, but property tax revenue changes could affect special districts. The budget coordinators are working on requests that are due in August in preparation for the 2025 budget. This year, the district took on the largest one-time hiring of nine firefighters and may not hire any more in 2025 or add any additional administrative staff. The district will make do with the existing space, but it would be preferable to have a secure facility, Kovacs said.

Note: Removing the administration offices saved about $4 million.

Kevin Schaffer of OZ Architects said if the planning approval phase is shortened, the district could expect a 10- to 14-month construction phase, and assuming the project takes 12 months the rebuild could be complete around February 2026.

Kovacs said the district is taking a responsible approach, building with quality materials to last 75 years, a balanced approach sensitive to the conservative nature of Monument, he said.

The board approved the design, 4-0.

Station 6 land purchase

Bumgarner said the QuikTrip property of about 4.7 acres at Baptist Road and Squadron Drive is available for the district to purchase, in total or just the 2 acres facing Baptist Road. Another property owner had offered the district a 2-acre parcel off Old Denver Road for the same price as the 2-acre QuikTrip property.

Kovacs said Battalion Chief Scott Ridings mapped the QuikTrip parcel and found that a future Station 6 on the QuikTrip site would serve Struthers Road better than existing stations. The land price and timing are right, as the real estate is being bought up, but when the decision to build arrives the district will have land available to house a single engine company staffed with four personnel. Had the board pursued 4 acres at the QuikTrip property, funding for other capital improvements would be deferred. Ultimately future boards and staff could decide to sell the 2 acres, he said.

Kelly said the district is going high on expenditure with the Station 3 rebuild and is 214% over budget on the Station 4 remodel. The district needs to stick to what is required and within the budget for the land purchase. Funding to cover the over-budget Station 4 remodel still needs to be found; “it’s requirements not desirements,” said Kelly.

Kovacs said the district budgeted $500,000 in 2024 for the Station 6 land purchase and will use $500,000 from collected impact fees. The land is expected to cost about $1.2 million for the 2 acres.

The board approved pursuit of the 2-acre land purchase from QuikTrip.

Overtime savings

Kelly requested the board consider changing the meeting times to earlier in the day in an effort to prevent overtime costs when staff must stay for meetings. The goal is to continue fiscal responsibility with the capital investments and remain prudent with the district funds, just as the residents requested during the meeting on the proposed Station 1 training center in April, said Kelly. See www.ocn.me/v24n5.htm#mfd. The meeting time change will be discussed at the July meeting.

Facility remodel updates

Bumgarner gave an update on the ongoing station remodels and said:

  • Station 4 had some minor delays, and the move back into the station will occur around mid-September. The north side of the station is operational with an added shower to allow operations to continue with Engine 514 crews. The bid at about $900,000 includes fire sprinklers, dampers, heaters in the bay, a concrete pad that was additional to the contract for about $60,000, and an increase to the water line was necessary. Donala Water and Sanitation District had originally advised against replacement, but it was deemed necessary during construction. The remodel is about 50%-70% done, and the final cost will be known closer to September. The ambulance is located at Station 3 on Woodmoor Drive.
  • The remodel of “Shamrock” Station 5 (Highway 83) cost just under $500,000.
  • The Station 2 remodel plans have been submitted to the Monument Planning Department and once approved the district will have a year to commence the construction process. Crews will likely move to Station 5 during the five-month remodel.
  • After attending a station design conference with Lt. Curt Leonhardt, the district is looking at replacing bay doors when funds permit with a transition to bi-fold doors to reduce maintenance.
  • The Station 1 Training Center plat has been submitted to the town and will include Front Range Fire Apparatus. The maintenance facility location in Fredrick Firestone is used by the district for apparatus repairs, and the additional location in Monument will save additional overtime, manpower, time out of district, and fuel costs.

2023 audit gets unmodified opinion

Mitchell Downs of CBIZ said he had been working on fire district audits in El Paso and Teller counties for about 25 years. Five adjustments were made, including one Martin requested, and they mostly involved the DWFPD VFPF, due to actuarial liability and a lag in asset reporting and based on the 2022 numbers. There were no big internal control problems, and the district received a clean or unmodified opinion. In the future the audit will be performed with a few different procedures due to CBIZ owning the company, said Downs. See DWFPD article on page < 12 >.

The board accepted the presentation of the audit.

Wescott merger transfers

Kovacs said before the meeting the Wescott board approved the transfer, along with a quit claim deed for the Sun Hills property, an exclusion of two properties, and the substantial transfer of funds to MFD. He requested the board approve the transfer of the Wescott VFPF to MFD for future administration and said Wescott had a number of volunteer firefighters coming in and out of the district over the years, but the program was discontinued at the beginning of the merger.

The fund had about 20 volunteers and about $930,000 at the end of the first quarter. Volunteers receive a monthly stipend based on the number of years served. The account is well funded and growing, although the FPPA always recommends adding funds. Ultimately, the Board of Trustees decides if the fund needs additional funding. One volunteer has yet to receive funds, and one passed away last year.

Director Mark Gunderman said the board did increase the stipend by $50 a few years ago to allow a full pension of $450, but a lot of the volunteers were hired full-time before qualifying for the volunteer pension at five years’ service. The volunteers are eligible to receive a pension at age 55, and the amount is based on time served, he said.

District Administrative Officer Jennifer Martin said that adding funds to the plan is based on the actuarial study.

The board approved the fund transfer to MFD, 4-0.

Sun Hills former Wescott Station 3

Kovacs requested the board approve the quit claim deed transferring the Sun Hills (former Wescott Station 3) property that is being used for storage by the district and two nonprofit groups. The property was sub-divided by a former Wescott fire chief and can only be used as a fire station, the property is tired and packed to the gills, but it is serving a practical purpose, he said.

Gunderman said the property can be sold, despite rumors it could not, but the Homeowners Association (HOA) raised concerns other property owners would seek to sub-divide. The district agreed to consult the HOA before selling the property to find a mutual agreement. The property could be returned to the original property, but that owner would be responsible for demolishing the building, he said.

The board approved the quit claim deed for the former station, 4-0.

Colorado Open Records Act

Martin requested the board approve the Revised Standard Operating Procedures, with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) retrieval fee change from $30 after the first hour to $41.37 as of July 1.

The board accepted the CORA policy fee change.

Fire technician hired

Bumgarner said the district hired Joseph Valdez for the fire technician position about two weeks earlier. Valdez is studying to be an EMT.

Note: The chief’s report and the financial report can be found at www.monumentfire.org.

The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

**********

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For virtual 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 Monument Fire District articles