by Richard Uhlhorn
Chief Brandon Asher reported that the district will have to pay $17,000 sales tax on its newest acquisition, a new brush truck. This truck has been delivered and is undergoing some additional work at Station 74. “This truck is awesome,” said Asher. The sales tax will be paid out of the district’s capital investment fund.
The two new trucks under construction at Spartan’s headquarters in South Dakota will be delivered in the first week of March and first week of April at a cost of $750,000,” reported Asher. The district is paying four percent interest on its $131,000 lease/purchase option payment from 2024 to 2032. Both trucks were purchased at the same time at a discount, which Asher says the district saved the taxpayers significantly.
In addition to the new apparatus the District asked the commissioners to approve an outdoor concrete pad at Station 74 at an estimated cost of $27,000. This pad will be used to wash down apparatus and other equipment. The commissioners unanimously approved this request.
Currently there is $473,000 in the district’s apparatus fund.
Assistant Chief Shawn Sherman reported that the district will be hooking up two surplus generators from the City. “They are only 200 amps and we need 400 amps to run the station.”
Volunteer status:
Sherman reported that the district hoped to have four new volunteer recruits but ended up with six who are all undergoing training through the academy. Two of these new volunteers are also EMT certified. “They are all super enthusiastic,” said Sherman.
The district is restarting its stipend program for the upcoming spring/summer/fall months. Individuals signing up for this program will work 48 hour shifts.
“Our goal is an effort for the volunteers to increase ownership in the district. “This has been missing with the combination of career staff and volunteers,” said Sherman. He added that initially the career staff had been undervaluing the volunteers. “A lot of volunteers have stepped up and are helping us with training and instruction.”
Seasonal employees:
Asher reported that the district was in the process of hiring its Seasonal Firefighters, three of which will be internal hires and one open slot. “They will fill in for Chelan or Manson. Our priority is to hire those with EMT certifications.” The start date for the Seasonals will be April 4.
Commissioner Russ Jones added that the Seasonal program is a business venture that has worked out well. “Seasonals become career firefighters.”
Strategic Planning:
Asher reported that the district is planning on making the Strategic Plan a little more goal oriented. He gave each Commissioner a draft plan outlining the goals to the commissioners. These will be released for the public as soon as they are approved.
TIF ISSUES:
The Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) program has been a contentious issue between the City of Chelan and both the Fire District and Hospital who have been concerned about the amount of funding they would forfeit if the program were to go forward.
Asher reported that new amendments are in front of the Legislature on wording regarding both districts. “If mitigation can’t be done the issue will go to arbitration,” said Asher. He added that the help.”
Commissioner Mark Donnell added that both the House and Senate are both working on legislation. “It is still alive and moving forward. There were a lot of unknowns we weren’t aware of.” He added that the legislation is pretty important.
Asher added that the House numbers are up in the air and that the Department of Revenue is still researching. “We hope to have something (news) soon.”
John Olson told the commissioners and administrators that both the City Administrator and Mayor are traveling to Washington D.C. to meet with Washington’s senators and congressmen to lobby face to face for federal funding for the East Chelan Water/Reservoir Project. He also reported that the Association of Washington Cities is seeking to raise property tax levels from one percent per year to three percent per year.
Asher said, “I appreciate the City looking at other options. Jones replied that he hopes the City is successful.
Other business:
Asher reported that the District responded to 92 calls of which 48 were EMS calls. “We had one trash can fire at Campbell’s Lodge,” Asher said. The other calls included the following:
- 5-Fire calls
- 6 – Hazardous conditions calls
- 3 – Service calls
- 16 Good Iintent calls
- 14 False Alarm calls
All Things Lake Chelan 