by Richard Uhlhorn
Fire Chief Brandon Asher reported to the Fire Commission that the City and Junior Taxing Districts have discussed mitigation plans for the TIF (Tax Incremental Finance) program. “We’ve come up with a plan,” said Asher. “I think it is a good plan.”
The plan calls for the Fire District to receive $1,570 for every call for service over 35 which has apparently been the average number of calls within the TIA (Tiff Incremental Area) which covers approximately two percent of the Fire District’s taxing district.
Phil Moler remarked that without seeing how TIF’s work throughout the state, it is hard to see how it will work calling the plan an “add on value” or an additional amount of dollars.
Russ Jones, who has been a sceptic, added, “We’ll see how it goes.”
Calls for Service:
The Department responded to 125 calls in August. “We started to slow down and are a little bit slower for September also.” He also remarked that not a lot of staff have been on the water. The 10 year average for service calls has been 117.
Moller asked how many boating intances did the department have this summer? Asher replied, “I’ll get back to you next meeting.”
State Mobilizations:
The Department was called out for State Mobilization and the crews sent spent 19 days. “There was a lot of hard work and time put in by everybody,” stated Asher. “I’m happy with that.” He also reported that the Department has received $74,000 in State Mob money and is expected to top out at $120,000.
Hazmat:
The region has received another $250,000 grant for equipment and training.
Assistant Chief report:
Shaun Sherman reported that the Department has received three new volunteer applications with one of them being from Union Valley. “We also had one volunteer come back,” said Sherman. Two volunteers have resigned; one because he relocated to the west side of the mountains. One department firefighter is attending the Fire Academy in Wenatchee.
Sherman also remarked that the department has had good drills with CC Fire Department No. 5 in Manson.
Firefighters Association report:
Ron Simmons, Association president, said this is the time of year to get people interested in joining the association. Phil Moller remarked that you don’t have to be a firefighter to be involved. Simmons replied that some of the association members are at the end of their service and some are moving away from the valley. “We need new volunteers,” said Simmons.
Budget:
The budget will be addressed on October 4.
All Things Lake Chelan 