GOLDEN GATE CANYON - The Golden Gate Fire Protection District Board approved first reading of their 2025 budget during a regular meeting on October 24, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Grange. All Board members were present: Deb Curlee, President; Niffy Ovuworie, Vice-President and Treasurer; Marith Reheis, Secretary; Steve Green and Dave Primmer.

During approval of the minutes for the September 26 meeting, Primmer complained that these minutes included opinion. They must be factual, he pointed out.

After communication with Green, Reheis removed some comments, and said, regarding minutes, that “It takes four hours. I will do my best to get it done in a week.”

 During the Treasurer’s report, Ovuworie said the budget hearing is on the agenda. He will then give a high level report and will entertain questions. Green asked when board members can comment on the budget.

Ovuworie said that during the treasurer’s reports is not an opportunity for questions. He said the main thing is, “Don’t spend any money that we don’t have.”

According to the report, the District had an increase in payroll. Capital expenses had gone down from $25,000 to $20,000. Operating expenses are decreasing. Regarding fuel expenses, the District has an agreement with Jefferson County to use their fuel, which is tax-free.

For facilities, they have a resident fire fighter and an increase for rodent control. For communications they have budgeted $4,000 on tablets and monthly expenses.

The District will have elections every two years, so $14,000 has been budgeted for the election in May. This will be budgeted every year. They will shop around to get the best prices, Ovuworie said.

Highlights of the budget include $293,000 in revenue, with spending $600 less than that. “In my opinion, we should be doing the budget three years in advance,” Ovuworie said.

Green said they are running the elections in the most expensive way. The District could do it for $7,000 a year, he added

During the 2025 Proposed Budget Hearing, Ovuworie made a motion to approve the budget as presented, which was seconded.

Green said it is bad financial decision-making. “I don’t agree with that at all.”

Elections, Green said, should be held in a polling place, which would cost $7,000. Reheis said they are working with an estimate from Circuit Rider. The District did not ask for quotes for a polling place. Reheis said that the last time they had an election, it cost $7,500.

Green noted the labeling in the budget is “a little weird.” Ovuworie remarked, about a raise for the chief, that they researched what other chiefs are paid, and budgeted a 6.5 percent increase.

Primmer said the District should base the budget on income rather than dipping into reserves. “It is way out of line,” he commented. Green said the budget is “way out of tax level.”

Reheis said that most capital expenses were already approved for 2024, but some of the projects had not begun. The budgeted amount will be rolled over, and the District is aiming to get the projects completed.

Regarding the election, Ovuworie said that they get higher participation with a mail-in ballot. They are more secure, he said. “We are budgeting for that,” he continued, “but haven’t said we are doing mail-in ballots.”

Reheis said she will be happy to investigate. Curlee said we saved money when we went with Circuit Rider.

The Board approved the first reading of the 2025 budget with Green and Primmer voting no.

Green moved that credit card transactions should be included in the monthly Treasurer’s report from January 2024, including who made the transaction, the amount of charge and what for, which should match the statement. If there are no charges, that should be included, and it should be posted online, he contended. The motion was seconded.

Reheis said that we can’t make reports retroactive. Ovuworie said “Not for this. It includes individual names, and that has already been discussed. It’s in the transaction list.” The motion failed, with Green and Primmer voting yes and the rest of the Board no.

Primmer moved for the Board to work together. He said that Ovuworie had threatened him and Green in an email. Ovuworie and Reheis abstained, so, with no quorum, the motion didn’t carry.

Ovuworie introduced a motion for a conflict of interest for Green involving his property next to Station 83, which is having drainage problems. He said the issue should be referred to an attorney. “We need to protect our District.”

Primmer said he will work with Green.

During the Chief’s report, he requested $30,000 to repair an ATV. A new one would cost $35,000., but they could update it on their own. Ovuworie moved to approve $30,000 for the ATV and $15,000 for station 2 heat pump and training prop.

The next regular Board meeting will be on October 24 at 7 p.m. at the Grange, 25231 Golden Gate Canyon Rd., Golden. For more information, go to https:// MAIN - Golden Gate Fire Protection District.