At approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) held their monthly board meeting at Station 3, located at 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk, Colorado.

President Rick Wenzel, Vice President John Bushey, and Members at Large Mary Kate McKenna, Kristin Turner, and John Carder attended the meeting, as well as Fire Chiefs Paul Ondr and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman. Highlights of the meeting included discussions on a potential contract with the Adams Group for the Annual Audit, the Minimum Fund Balance, and the Chief’s Report.

There was no correspondence or conflicts of interest. The topic of maintaining a Fund Balance Minimum was added to the Agenda under New Business.

The board approved the Regular Meeting Minutes from October 17, 2023, with all in favor.

The unaudited financials from October 2023 showed the net operating income to be $83,571.82 over budget.

New Business included a contract with Adams Group, LLC for Timberline’s Annual Audit. Adams’ fee would not exceed $15,500 for the audit and $1,500 for the pension calculations. Hinderman recommended holding off until another bid is received.

The board needs to find an auditor soon so the expenditure can be worked into the budget.

The board tentatively scheduled a special meeting to discuss the budget and allow more time for additional auditor bids on December 6 at 5 p.m.

New Business included a discussion on the Minimum Fund Balance. This amount is the minimum amount TFPD would need to function if it were to make no money.

“What is our realistic rainy day income?” asked Ondr.

The current system has not been updated for several years and now the board seeks the correct amount since the budget has increased. Shifting tax revenues make income for fire districts unpredictable.

The budget sits around 2.3 million. More research was called for and the subject will be revisited in December.

There was no Old Business to report.

The Chief’s Report is as follows:

TFPD responded to 65 calls in October. Average response times district wide was 10 minutes, 2 seconds.

• Expect Tender 57 to be completed in the next 4-6 weeks.

Wildland/Mitigation:

• County Mitigation around the Gilpin Recreation Center is about 60% complete.

• Roadside mitigation in Corona Heights is under way.

• Porter Ranch Phase 1 is marked and ready to begin.

• If snow shows up, pile burning will begin.

Administration:

• Roof grant was submitted. There is no news yet.

• Fire alarm at Station 3 is scheduled to be wrapped up tomorrow.

• Los Lagos, Boulder County tax collection.

Training:

• Thanks to Lt. Arendt for coordinating FF1 practical at Galeton Fire in Weld County this past weekend. Chiefs Schmidtmann and Matheny assisted from Nederland/DFPC.

• CPR refresher hosted for Gilpin Dispatch yesterday.

• FF2 Academy with Golden and Golden Gate Fire Departments is underway, three TFPD members attending, class wraps up 12/2 with TFPD staff leading the practical exam.

• Thanks to Lt. Colgan and Capt. Lutz for hosting department-wide water supply training this past weekend.

• Congrats to:

Arendt – 1403 Live Fire Instructor and DO Proctor

Geyer – FF and DO Proctor

Arbogash and Lemley - DO

R&R:

• Two new in-district members set to interview on Friday, working out of Station 9.

• Multiple end-of-year out-of-district interviews set over the next few weeks, aiming for a large-scale recruit onboarding class in January/ February.

• Recruitment division thanks the TVFF for hosting the game night last week.

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

The next regular Board Meeting for Timberline Fire Protection District will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Station 3, located at 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk, CO 80422.