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OCN > 2508 > Monument Fire District, July 23 – Station 2 operational; property inclusion approved

Monument Fire District, July 23 – Station 2 operational; property inclusion approved

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba: Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on July 23, the board heard multiple station updates and that crews had re-occupied the remodeled Station 2. The board held a public hearing before approving an inclusion of property and received an update on the 2024 audits.

Director Cody Peterson was excused.

Vice President John Hildebrandt joined the meeting via Microsoft Teams at 4:37 p.m.

Station updates

Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner said the following:

  • Station 2 has been re-occupied by crews, and a grand reopening/public viewing date is to be determined. For future announcements visit www.monumentfire.org.
  • The Station 3 rebuild (north of the YMCA) received plat approval from the Town of Monument. The water and sanitation needs will be met by Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, and a cost share for the widening of Jackson Creek Parkway north of the Higby Road intersection will be met by the district and all developers east and west of the north portion of the parkway. Groundbreaking could begin in the fall.
  • Work continues on the Station 1 Training Center site development and pricing is underway. The National Fire Protection Association standards changed since the district priced the training tower, resulting in a cost increase for the standard change. The district expects to receive the four storied class B training tower to be positioned east of Station 1 on the district owned 14 acres in July 2026.
  • The district expects to move staff to the rented future administrative building/storage facility at 19775 Mitchell Avenue, Monument on Sept. 8.

Sun Hills property update

President Mark Gunderman said he and Fire Chief Andy Kovacs had discussed the sale of 15000 Sun Hills Drive, the former Donald Westcott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) Station 3 with the Sun Hills HOA. The HOA has not changed its position regarding the future of the former station and would prefer the district return the land back to the original lot or sell it to the HOA but not sell to another party. The 1-acre parcel was originally donated by a former Wescott fire chief, and the original adjacent 4-acre property is owned by former board member Charles Fleece. Legal counsel Maureen Juran will be reviewing the legal documents to figure out the next step for the district, said Gunderman. See https://wp.ocn.me.v25n7mfd.

Property inclusion petition

Director Randall Estes opened a public hearing on a petition for the inclusion of real property into the district, for joint owners Drew J Walton and Maria L Duran of Walton Ranch, LLC located at 16750 Thompson Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80908. Hearing no opposition, the public hearing was closed.

In a roll call vote 6-0, the board approved Resolution 2025-07, granting the inclusion of real property into the district.

2024 audit presentations

Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley said audit filing extensions had been approved by the state for the MFD and DWFPD 2024 audits. The audits are still under review by CBIZ, and the board will receive the final position before accepting the 2024 audits at a future board meeting, said Bradley.

Financial update

Treasurer Tom Kelly said the district is at 50% of the total budget year to date as of June 30, and presented the following:

  • The combined overall revenue received year to date is about 57.8% of the 2025 income projected annual revenue set at about $24.235 million.
  • Overall expenses year to date are about 46.7 % of the projected expense budget set at about $18.764 million.
  • The district had about $21.3 million in total checking/savings.

The board accepted the financial report as presented, 5-0.

Note: Due to administrative staff annual vacation time, this reporter did not receive the financial report before publication. The reports and updates can be found at www.monumentfire.org.

The meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 27 at 4:30 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.

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