Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Dec. 28 – Exclusion process progressing; 2024 budget approved

Dual service area discussed
Homeowners petition for inclusion
Financial report
Repairs needed
Department updates
2024 budget revised
Investment strategies discussed

By Janet Sellers

At the Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) meeting on Dec. 28, the board approved the exclusion process for 952 properties, approved a revised 2024 budget, and four probationary firefighters were sworn into the district, with families pinning on the badges. The district also announced a new volunteer, search-and-rescue dog Koda.

All five board directors were present.

Dual service area discussed

A discussion addressed budgeting issues related to the loss of property tax revenue that will occur when Colorado Springs residents in a dual service area, are excluded from the district. The residents in the dual service area (near Woodmen Road) are subject to dual taxation by the City of Colorado Springs and BFFRPD, but will be assessed fire and emergency services taxes only by the city when excluded from the district.

Background: Until August 2013, the properties in the exclusion areas received fire and emergency services from BFFRPD, and those residents were assessed taxes for fire and emergency services by the district. In August 2013, Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) opened a fire station to provide services in the dual service area and those residents then became subject to dual taxation. About 2,200 homes were subject to dual taxation when the board requested the exclusion process begin in 2018. The process has been slow and only about 700 homes have been excluded to date. See www.ocn.me/v21n9.htm#bffrpd and www.ocn.me/21n10.htm#bffrpd and www.ocn.me/v22n2.htm#bffrpd.

The board unanimously approved a resolution for the City of Colorado Springs to take action to exclude 952 addresses from the BFFRPD area of responsibility. The property addresses will be checked for accuracy. The property exclusion is still under consideration.

Homeowners petition for inclusion

The board unanimously approved 12 homeowner petitions for property inclusion into the BFFRPD service area.

Financial report

The directors discussed financial information, and Treasurer Jack Hinton reported $1.89 million in the bank with no funds from property taxes received in November. BFFRPD has $2.655 million in total assets with expenditures at 89% of the total budget. The financial report was accepted.

Repairs needed

The concrete floor for the training program has been finished, and repairs to the bay doors regarding the motors and heaviness of the doors due to the glass included are out for bids.

Department updates

The district has hired three people to attend the January 2024 Career Fire Academy. Fire training in 2023 included structure training with Falcon Fire District, heavy vehicle extrication training with Monument and Falcon fire districts, and live fire training with CSFD. The new tender that is being built will be inspected by Gavin Smith, fleet manager, in the first week of January.

2024 budget revised

A revised 2024 budget with wage and leave schedules, was unanimously adopted. The budget was originally built on a premise that proposition HH would pass. Since it failed, the budget needed revisions which included a 4.7% cost of living adjustment. However, this is not enough to remain competitive with other departments. The district will increase the operations staff from eight to 10 people with an unexpected increase of 8.75% in health insurance.

BFFRPD intends to close 2024 debt-free. The total revenues proposed for 2024 are about $7 million, to include a $373,301 reimbursement from the state under the SB23B-001.

Investment strategies discussed

A discussion was led by Hinton concerning the need for revamped financial policies and procedures that should be available to all department members and the public. These procedures would also cover investment strategies. Considerations for optimizing investment strategies were discussed. The changes incorporated into a document will be reviewed by the attorney for the fire district before being adopted, and this may need a work session. The subject was tabled until the January meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

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The January 2024 meeting was changed from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17. Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month at Station 1, 11445 Teachout Road, Colorado Springs. Meetings are open to the public in person or via Zoom. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. For joining instructions, updates, agendas, minutes, and reports, visit www.bffire.org or contact Director of Public Relations Brooke Reid at Admin@bffire.org or call 719-495-4300.

Janet Sellers may be reached at JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Natalie Barszcz also contributed to this article.