GILPIN COUNTY - The Timberline Fire Protection District Board met on July 15, 2025, with President Rick Wenzel calling the meeting to order. Member-At-Large Kristin Turner was excused, and Mary Kate McKenna was absent, but a quorum was attained with Wenzel, John Carder, and John Bushey.

Wenzel opened the meeting by thanking everyone involved in raising more than $1,800 at the Pancake Breakfast at the Gilpin County Fair.

Audit Report

An audit report from Adams Group, LLC was presented via Zoom, with discussion of upcoming federal grants and a reminder that exceeding $1 million in federal spending in a single calendar year would require a single audit. 

The board also reviewed unaudited financials for June 2025 and discussed the upcoming need for another amended budget next year, as large capital expenses continue.

Amended budget adopted

The board unanimously approved the amended 2024 budget, adjusting the General Fund to $2,990,847. 

The amended budget reflects an increase of $475,882 over the original 2024 appropriation.

This amendment was necessary because of contingencies such as delays in wildland deployment reimbursements and the lease-purchase for the Station 3 bay addition.

IGA and capital projects

The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Nederland Fire Protection District regarding mitigation services. 

“The practical application of when or if or how this is really going to work, I’m not sure yet,” Fire Chief Paul Ondr said, noting that the agreement forms a starting point for future collaboration.

Ondr also confirmed that KCI is set to begin construction on the Station 3 bay addition on August 18, with completion expected by September 26. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for August 19, prior to the next board meeting.

Chief’s report

Ondr reported 53 calls in June and said the points system implemented earlier this year continues to show positive results.

“Dan Murphy is doing an incredible job,” Ondr said, as Wenzel added that he was seen helping at the recent train wreck.

Wildland work remains steady. “Brush 59 is in Southern California on day 14 of deployment,” Ondr noted. He added the crew might stay for another 7-21 days, depending on conditions.

Local mitigation continues to expand. Aspen Springs roadside work is complete, and the department plans to begin on the Gilpin County Community Center trail and then Dory Hill in early August, pending U.S. Forest Service approval for certain areas intersecting county right-of-ways. 

“There’s a little bit of drama going on in the community because of a lot of misinformation that’s out there,” Ondr added, noting that he is waiting for more clarity from the Forest Service.

Dory Lakes’ chipping event is scheduled next week, with Bun Gun Zhing Wak slated for August 4. 

Ondr said several people at the Gilpin County Fair expressed interest in joining TFPD.

The meeting concluded at 7:12 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be held on August 19 at Station 3 in Black Hawk, beginning with the groundbreaking ceremony at 6 p.m.