Monument Fire District, Jan. 19 and 28 – Fire Station 3 rebuild moves closer

Special meeting outcome
Staff promotions
Other approved items
Recruitment update
Financial update
Sun Hills property update
Chief’s report
Executive session—performance appraisal
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By Natalie Barszcz

The Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD) held a special meeting via Microsoft Teams on Jan. 19 to approve the purchase of real estate. A promotion ceremony was held before the regular board meeting on Jan. 28. The board adopted the International Fire Code and the Wildlife Resiliency Code and approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the emergency manager position. The board received an update on the fire chief recruitment search.

The board held an executive session pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(f) to discuss Fire Chief Andy Kovacs’ performance appraisal.

Secretary Duane Garrett was excused from the Jan. 28 meeting.

Special meeting outcome

The board held a virtual “special meeting” on Jan. 19 to approve the purchase of real estate. In a 6-0 roll call vote, the board approved Resolution 2026-01, approving the purchase of a lot west of the QuikTrip, and Resolution 2026-02, approving the purchase of a 2-acre parcel north of the YMCA off Jackson Creek Parkway to construct a new Fire Station 3.

Director Tim De Leon resigned from the board in January, and he will be replaced by former board member Michael Smaldino. Treasurer Tom Kelly announced he would resign after the February meeting because he will be moving out of the district.

Staff promotions

Before the Jan. 28 meeting, a ceremony was held to promote the following staff:

Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremy Furman was promoted to Accreditation manager.
Engineer Aaron Wood was promoted to Community Risk Reduction coordinator.
Tyler Ruona was promoted to engineer.

Victoria Slater, hired in September 2025, resigned as Accreditation manager.

Other approved items

In a 5-0 vote, the board approved the following:

Resolution 2026-03, adopting the International Fire Code and Wildlife Resiliency Code.
The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) MOU for the Emergency Manager position. The position is a three-way partnership with the PPROEM and the Town of Monument. See https://wp.ocn.me/v25n10/mfd.

Recruitment update

Kovacs said executive recruitment for the fire chief position was underway by Prothman Executive Recruitment. The position will be advertised in March, and the candidate interview process will begin in April. The Board of Directors will select a new fire chief from a short list of candidates in May, and the candidate will be ready to join the organization in July/August. At the October 2025 meeting, Kovacs announced his plan to retire from the fire service at the end of 2026.

Financial update

Kelly said the district is at 100% of the total budget year to date as of Dec. 31, and presented the following:

The combined overall revenue received for 2025 was about $23.472 million, and 96.8 % of the 2025 income projected annual revenue set at about $24.235 million.
Overall expenses for 2025 were about $17.796 million, and 94.8 % of the projected expense budget set at about $18.764 million.
The total checking/savings was about $35.949 million, with about $10.742 million in the Operations/General Fund. The balance includes loan proceeds of about $18.327 million in Bank of Oklahoma financing for the Fire Station 3 rebuild.

Kelly said the 36 electronic transactions were appropriate and within budget. Of note were:

$176,804, CO SD – Prop/Liability Property/Liability Coverage 2026
$46,410, Front Line Health – Employee Annual Physicals
$29,456, Flintco LLC – Administrative Office Remodel
$154,592, Kaiser Permanente – Health Insurance
$7,406, Wex Bank Inc. – Fleet Fuel

In a 5-0 vote, the board accepted the financial reports presented for November and December 2025.

Sun Hills property update

President Mark Gunderman said the district’s attorney, Maureen Juran, had reviewed the legal requirements for the sale/disposal of the Sun Hills property (former Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) Station 3). Juran concurred with the previous findings of Wescott attorney Emily Powell, who confirmed the district could dispose of the property however it chooses. He said the 0.44-acre property was assessed at $300,000 several years ago during the merger between MFD and DWFPD, and he recommended the property be returned to the original lot, citing the district did not need the cash.

Kelly agreed with Gunderman.

Kovacs said the board should decide during the summer, and the property could be disposed of by the end of 2026. The property is currently being used for storage by The Red Cross and Emergency Incident Support, and the time frame would allow alternative storage facilities to be found.

Chief’s report

Division Chief of Operations Janaka Branden presented the chief’s report and said the district had experienced a 7% increase in call volume for 2025. The full report can be viewed at www.monumentfire.org.

Executive session—performance appraisal

The board moved into an executive session at about 6:10 p.m., pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(f), Colorado Revised Statutes, relating to personnel matters with the consent of Kovacs, the subject of the executive session.

Director of Administration Jennifer Martin confirmed to this reporter that when the board returned to regular session, no action was taken.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25 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.