Monument Fire District, Sept. 27. Fleet purchase approved; budget impact of Nov. ballot items; community paramedic proposed

Monument Fire District, Sept. 27. Fleet purchase approved; budget impact of Nov. ballot items; community paramedic proposed.

Two engines approved
2024 budget presentation
Apparatus and facilities costs
Impact fees
Budget priorities 2024
Community paramedic proposal
Staff kudos
Chief’s report
Staffing update
Community Connect signup available
October community events

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Sept. 27, the board approved two new engines, received the first presentation of the proposed 2024 budget, and heard about a proposed community paramedic concept.

President Mike Smaldino was excused.

Two engines approved

Secretary Jason Buckingham requested the board approve resolution 2023-05 of the Board of Directors of a lease-purchase agreement with PNC Equipment Finance LLC for the financing of two new Pierce Velocity Pumper Engines and authorizing the execution and delivery of them. See www.ocn.me/v23n9.htm#mfd.

Division Chief of Administration/Fire Marshal Jamey Bumgarner said that nothing in the original proposal presented at the August board meeting had changed, and the delivery is estimated to be in 2025. The total for the two engines is estimated to be about $1.712 million.

The board approved the resolution, 6-0.

2024 budget presentation

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs presented the first look at the proposed 2024 budget and said:

The county assessor provided the assessed valuation numbers for the property tax revenue for 2024, with and without the passing of Proposition HH. (Proposition HH is a question on the November ballot proposing a statewide bill that would implement property tax reductions and allow the state to retain and spend excess state revenue.)
If Resolution HH fails, the state Legislature is already working on another tax measure for 2024. Initiative 50 would put a 4% cap on revenue and continue to impact special districts.
The district estimates about $15.1 million in property tax revenue and about $22 million in total revenue for 2024 (includes $4.1 million for contractual services for the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD). The total projected revenue for Wescott in 2024 is expected to be about $4.3 million.
The TABOR fund requires 3% of the total revenue be retained by the district. The amount will increase with the property tax revenue increase.
The district proposes lowering the mill levy to 18.4 after raising it last year to 18.83 to offset the loss of revenue from the temporary residential assessment rate drop. See www.ocn.me/v22n12.htm#mfd.
If Referendum HH passes in November, staff will present a modified budget based on the new assessed property valuations.

Treasurer Tom Kelly asked what would happen if the ballot initiative 6A/6B for Gleneagle residents does not pass in November.

Kovacs said the budget would be adjusted and the property tax of 7 mills and 21.9 mills will remain for Gleneagle residents.

**Above**: A banner displayed at the corner of Gleneagle Drive and Baptist Road asks residents to vote yes on 6A and 6B in the upcoming November election. The Gleneagle Safety Committee paid for the signs displayed throughout the neighborhood with a unanimous pledge of $10,000 from the Local 4319 branch of the International Firefighters Association. If both ballot questions pass, the residents will lower the mill levy for fire and EMS services and allow the merger between Donald Wescott Fire Protection District and Monument Fire District to be completed in 2024. The Joint Factual Summary for the Donald Wescott sub-district dissolution process explaining the ballot initiative can be found at www. monumentfire.org. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Apparatus and facilities costs

Kovacs gave examples of the rising costs of firefighting apparatus, and said:

In 2004, the district purchased an engine for about $230,000, in 2019 the district purchased an engine for $727,000, in 2022 the district purchased two engines for $841,000 each, and now a new engine costs about $946,000.
The cost of fire apparatus has accelerated over time, and building construction costs have recently increased to $800-$1,000 per square foot.
The district is proposing to purchase a Type 6 Engine (brush truck), a replacement ambulance, and an F150 administrative truck, in 2024.
The district hopes to begin the remodel of Station 4, purchase land for a future station, rebuild Station 3 at a location north of the YMCA off Jackson Creek Parkway (will include the district administrative offices), and invest in a regional public safety training center.

Impact fees

Kovacs said the impact fees collected from the district growth must be spent during the growth period, so to make sure they are distributed legally: $500,000 will be used to purchase land for a future Station 6, $500,000 will be contributed to the rebuild of Station 3, and $500,000 will be used for the Training Center. The Impact Fee Fund will continue to increase in revenue until everything is built out, but the district cannot use the funding to purchase any capital expenditure outright, he said.

Budget priorities 2024

Kovacs said the department priorities are:

A competitive salary and benefits package including a wage increase of 3% as a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all employees, the introduction of a 2% per pay period district matching optional 457 retirement savings plan, and an increase in the sick time benefit from 96 hours to 120 hours.
Training and educational opportunities for all employees, with the existing assistance program.
Hiring three entry-level firefighters and create a position for a fire inspector and an administrative training officer position.
Investment in capital facilities. A recent survey indicated the firefighters rate the facilities as average and below.
Investment in capital fleet and equipment.
The continuation of funds set aside for future capital purchases.
Agency accreditation in spring 2025.
The 2022-26 Strategic Plan, a roadmap for the future of the fire district, includes community expectations and what the district is hoping to achieve. The plan was formulated from a combination of input from a community stakeholders meeting, input from the firefighters and the administrative staff, and the findings of the Master Plan conducted by Emergency Services Consulting International in 2019.

The second budget presentation will be in October and is subject to modifications, followed by a public hearing in November, said Kovacs.

Community paramedic proposal

Paramedic Carrie Fuller said she had been trying to implement a community paramedic pilot program over the past several years. The program would cut down on 911 transports, keep patients safer by avoiding unnecessary emergency room visits, and save money over time. The Colorado Springs Fire Department and South Metro Fire Rescue already have robust programs, and the district calls are 80% fall assistance and 11% mental health.

The district would also introduce a Fall Reduction Program for the two nursing homes in the district where most of the fall assist calls are generated. Home risk assessments could be provided, and the district would mimic the Woodland Park Mental Health program. After the program is underway, additional educational programs could be added. The community paramedic program would not require additional personnel for 2024 and would be filled by the existing staff in dual roles, including an EMS department educator, and could include a contract with a mental health provider, she said.

Kovacs said the district needs to ensure the right resource is sent to each call and avoid sending a $950,000 engine to assist with a fall or to a toxicology situation. The community paramedic program would relieve some of the burden on the health care system and avoid transporting patients who do not need to be occupying emergency room beds. The current setup is not an effective way of taking care of the problem and creates costly wear and tear on apparatus and high diesel fuel costs, he said.

Staff kudos

Kovacs congratulated Fuller for receiving a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in Community Health. He also congratulated Battalion Chief of EMS Sean Pearson for representing the district with a presentation on mass casualty incidents at the University of Colorado health trauma conference at the Antlers Hotel.

Chief’s report

Kovacs said the following:

The district received $3,730 from the Colorado Special Districts Safety Grant. The proceeds will be used to fund a portion of the district’s snowplow.
He thanked the Social Committee of High Forest Ranch Homeowners Association for donating $1,092 to the district.
Local 4319 unanimously voted to contribute $10,000 for campaign materials for the Wescott ballot initiative. See photo with caption.
The Annual Fill the Boot Campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association raised $8,495.

Staffing update

Division Chief of Operations Jonathan Bradley said Lt. Keith Barker will be the first to occupy the rotational position of administrative training officer. The district recently lost Firefighter/Paramedic Taylor Neill to the Grand Junction Fire Department, an EMS/Paramedic requested training to become a firefighter, and a trainee recently dropped out of firefighter academy training. The district will have a total of six firefighters entering a Firefighter Training Academy in 2024.

Kovacs said residents and businesses and property managers could create an account on Community Connect via the district website to provide valuable information that can help the Fire Department assist more effectively during an emergency. See www.monumentfire.org or visit www.communityconnect.io/info/co-monument.

October community events

Visit the local firefighters at Station 4, 15415 Gleneagle Drive on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet Monument Fire, check out the fire engines, and receive free food and goodies for the kids.

The Local 4319 Annual Pumpkin Giveaway event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Monument Clocktower, Jackson Creek Parkway. Free pumpkins, live music, food trucks, and freebies for the kids are included. The event includes a canned food donation drop-off to help support Tri-Lakes Cares. See the calendar of events on page < 26 >.

The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 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.