GOLDEN GATE CANYON — The Golden Gate Canyon Fire Protection District Board approved the 2026 budget during a regular meeting December 4. All told, the balanced budget includes $448,400 in revenues and expenses.

Anticipated expenses are split between operations ($294,400 or 66%) and capital expenditures ($154,000 or 34%). The majority of revenue, 61%, will come from property taxes, which should equal $275,400. Additional sources and transfers from reserves will contribute the remaining $173,000.

Major capital projects for next year include replacing Engine 81, for which the district will contribute $100,000. The balance of the cost will be paid through grants.

“As in previous years, GGFPD continues to rely on grants and donations to accomplish large, capital-intensive goals," District Chief Kyle Kociemba-Benson wrote in a budget message. "With continued support through these avenues, we aim to pursue improvements beyond what our limited tax base can currently sustain.

Engine 81 is "one of our most frequently deployed yet oldest apparatus," Kociemba-Benson added.

Other capital projects include $34,000 for wildfire mitigation equipment and $20,000 "to address longstanding drainage issues at Station 83."

Next year's projects "represent the end of a three-year push to reinvest capital into the district," Kociemba-Benson wrote.

Rising costs for vehicle maintenance were the "most notable increase" to the 2026 operational budget, Kociemba-Benson wrote.

"These costs have risen sharply due to parts scarcity and the labor-intensive nature of required repairs."

Inflation was factored into the budget at a rate of 5%. Three years of spending data were averaged to project costs for 2026, continuing a practice from the previous two years.

Overall, though, Kociemba-Benson said the budget will enable "sustainable growth" of emergency reserves while maintaining service to the community.

"As we look ahead to 2026, we are pleased to report that GGFPD’s budget remains aligned with our long-standing goals of maintaining financial solvency while strategically investing in high-impact projects that enhance the district’s long-term operational capacity," he wrote.

Board president Deb Curlee, vice president Marith Reheis, and treasurer Mike Sever attended in person. Secretary Karla Grahn attended online, and board member Dave Primmer was absent.

Reheis continued the discussion from the previous meeting about the need for a board web and email policy. She dove into the bylaws, which include a provision for emergency notifications.

She made a motion that an email be sent regarding upcoming events, ideally with three or four days' advanced notice. The Board approved the motion.

The Board also approved a resolution for 2026 board meeting dates and minutes from the November 20 meeting.

The next regular Board meeting will be January 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Grange, 25201 Golden Gate Canyon Road in Golden.