Fire district begins 2013 budget process

Evergreen Fire Protection District board members began reviewing the proposed 2013 budget at the Nov. 13 meeting.

Accountant Brendan Campbell of Pinnacle Consulting Group, who is managing the district’s finances, said there will be an additional $550,000 in the budget at the close of the year.

“It’s a good place to be,” Campbell said. “This is one of the most fiscally sound districts we work with.”

Estimated expenditures for next year total $4,530,105 and general fund revenues are projected at $5,148,351.

Campbell encouraged the district board to increase the pension fund for firefighters in the coming year. Benefit payments for this year are estimated at $375,937, an amount that would increase to $410,000 in 2013.

“Do we have the money available for the pension fund?” asked board member Charlie Simons. “I want to make sure we don’t run short somewhere else.”

While presenting the financial report, Campbell said that he wanted to begin good cash reporting on a monthly basis.

Campbell also suggested that the fire district board consider refinancing bonds to save money. 

Fire Chief Mike Weege discussed changes to employee benefits in 2013. Next year employees will be charged a monthly premium for health insurance instead of receiving benefit dollars as they do now. 

“Some of these people are looking at drastic changes in what they’re taking home,” said communications coordinator Kristie McCormick. 

McCormick also discussed the telephone-notification program that the district is putting into place by the first of the year. The Code Red program will allow residents to record cell phone numbers and receive information more efficiently.

“We’re going to see a big difference,” she said. 

“The process should be seamless, but it won’t be,” said Chris Johnson, IT manager for the fire district. “We will have rocky days.”

“Code Red is a really powerful system,” said Weege. “It will be a good project for Evergreen Fire/Rescue.”

Contact reporter Sandy Barnes at sandy@evergreenco.com or call 303-350-1042.