GILPIN COUNTY – The Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) Board met on December 12, 2024, with full attendance, including President Rick Wenzel, Vice Chairman John Bushey, Members at Large John Carder, Kristin Turner, and Mary Kate McKenna,...
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GILPIN COUNTY – The Timberline Fire Protection District (TFPD) Board met on December 12, 2024, with full attendance, including President Rick Wenzel, Vice Chairman John Bushey, Members at Large John Carder, Kristin Turner, and Mary Kate McKenna, along with Fire Chief Paul Ondr and Administrative Chief Jennifer Hinderman were all present as well.
The Board discussed a range of important topics, including setting the mill levy, adopting the budget, and discussing the USDA grant for Station 3.
With the help of Congressman Joe Neguse, Timberline’s Station 3 received a federal grant of approximately $900,000 to build out the station, which was previously a distressed property and a scientific aeronomy laboratory.
“We’re going to hire a general contractor that will work with the architect and put things out to bid,” explained Ondr, referring to the garage bay installation at Station 3. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held and only a physical presence will ensure a bid.
“By hiring the general contractor and going this route, we won’t have to bid every single piece,” added Hinderman.
There was some question as to whether this process fits into the current policy, but Hinderman assuaged doubts.
Ondr reported that a new power pole and transformer have been installed on the property, with a generator on the way.
The groundbreaking is slated for May 1 of next year, but Ondr let the Board know that the hard deadline for Station 3 to be fully operational is not until October 31, 2025.
Unanimously approving the minutes of the November 12 meeting, the Board also passed the 2025 budget and related resolutions, focusing on operational enhancements and community safety initiatives.
During the public hearing, the Board adopted a mill levy adjustment, increasing the rate from 8.342 to 8.853 mills, which is expected to generate $1,685,488 in property tax revenues.
The budget allocates $3,127,542 to the General Fund for day-to-day operations and $9,349 to the Timberline Water Supply Fund, while $700,000 is earmarked for the Station 3 garage bays project.
Despite these investments, the General Fund balance is projected to decrease from $739,897 at the beginning of the year to $564,390 by year-end.
The District outlined significant initiatives for 2025, including the renovation of Station 3, acquired via the federal disposal process. Plans for the facility, now serving as District Headquarters, include the addition of garage bays funded by a $700,000 lease-purchase agreement, a $908,279 federal award, and a $200,000 grant.
ADA compliance requirements will add approximately $50,000 to the project’s cost. Groundbreaking is set for May 2025, with completion expected by year-end.
The Board also approved the purchase of a Rosenbauer Tender for $456,000, part of a broader apparatus update that includes retrofitting a Ford F550 for wildfire responses. This builds on an ongoing $1.2 million apparatus lease initiated in 2022.
Station 1’s generator project has been successfully completed.
Wildfire mitigation services, a core offering of the District, received $50,000 in Gilpin County funding for 2024. Efforts remain active, with mitigation workers busy inspecting burn permits and preparing for the upcoming fire season.
The District also submitted a $307,050 grant request to fund a cistern installation at Highway 72 and 119.
Chief Ondr reported 55 calls for service in November and noted that annual training is underway for personnel. Recruitment efforts continue under the SAFER Grant-funded program, which supports a Recruitment and Retention Program Manager.
Administrative progress includes finalizing fire alarm installations at Station 5 and addressing inspection challenges to meet safety standards.
The Board recessed from their regular meeting and entered into a Pension Board of Trustees meeting.
The Allocation Report for the third quarter ended with $1,517,700.29. There was a state match of about $20,000 for TFPD’s contribution to the Pension Fund.
After 14 years of service, David Canfield has applied for retirement and submitted the paperwork. The application was reviewed and approved.
“I served with him the whole 14 years, so I know he was there,” said Carder with a chuckle.
At 6:54 p.m. the Pension Board meeting adjourned and the regular meeting resumed.
Wenzel introduced the firefighters present at the meeting, including Hayden Scumitt, Jimi King, and Lieutenant David Femmer.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 14, 2025, at Station 3, 19126 Highway 119, Black Hawk.