GIFD Fire Commissioner Minutes August 10, 2015

SKAGIT COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 17

(Minutes pending approval)

August 10, 2015

Regular Fire Commissioners meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM by Commissioner Chip Bogosian, Chairman.

Present: Commissioners Bogosian, Murphy and Bear, Chief G. Francis, Assistant Chief O. Snell, Medical Officer N. White, Mechanical Engineer L. Pyke, PIO L. Francis and Secretary Murray. Guest: Edith Walden.

The minutes of July 13, 2015 were unanimously approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: Beginning July Operating Fund balance $84,585.62. Beginning July Investment Fund balance $41,316.82. Beginning July Capital Investment Fund balance of $35,076.66. June Expenses of $11,039.19 and Payroll of $1,978 for grand total of $13,017.19. Expenses include $6,182 to Enduris for insurance coverage through September 1, 2016 and $650 unemployment compensation. We received $708 in WSP Firefighter Training funds and a $25 donation. Because of the FEMA grant award, acquisition of a Ford F350 truck for a mini-pumper, and anticipated additional grant funds for SCBA, spending projections for 2015 have changed. Resolution 352 – The budget for 2015 will be revised from $135,900 to $168,750 based on projected spending presented by Chief Francis. Resolution 353 – With regard to investments, Diane will work with county investment officer Mike Urban to select safe investments that will earn a higher return than the State Pool. Accounting costs were discussed in detail. For its accounting services, the Skagit County Auditor charges $7.67 per AP warrant and $15.70 per payroll warrant. The rates for 2016 will be $8.50 and $17.58 respectively. To reduce accounting costs the commissioners have approved two actions: (1) establish a petty cash fund for small purchases; and (2) begin credit card payment of selected bills. The credit limit will be increased. Cards will be issued to Assistant Chief Snell and Mechanic Pyke. Secretary Murray will be added to the account for online bill payments. Resolutions for the petty cash fund and credit card account changes will be presented at the September 14 meeting.

Open: Edith asked for follow-up on whether the Skagit County Fire Commissioners will support and/or propose to the Skagit County Commissioners a countywide ban on fireworks. When the minutes of their last meeting are available, Deb will pass them along to Edith. Larry asked the commissioners to recognize that Diane is doing a great job and he further requested that it be included in the minutes. Everyone present in the room agreed.

Chief’s Report: See attached report for summary of drills, training and responses. On September 14 the WSRB (Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau) will visit to renew our insurance rating. From their website: WSRB evaluates communities for their fire protection/suppression capabilities. Using a schedule approved by the state Office of Insurance Commissioner, WSRB assigns each community a Protection Class grade of 1 through 10.

Skagit Fire Training Center operations were suspended by Department of Ecology pending storm water runoff mitigation. Water containment is in progress. Long term, the live-fire containers may be relocated to land owned by the City of Anacortes where runoff can be fed into the city’s wastewater system. New firefighter – Chief Francis presented and the commissioners signed an application from Matthew Enos who joins the department as a firefighter and potential EMT.

Old Business: None. New Business: None.

Commissioners reviewed and approved invoices from July 5 to Aug. 1, 2015 in the amount of $11,039.19 and payroll of $1,978 for a total of $13,017.19. The next regular meeting will be September 14, 2015, at 7 PM in the Fire Hall.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Submitted by

Diane Murray, Secretary

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Skagit County Fire District 17

Commissioner Chip Bogosian, Chairman

Chief's Report July 2015

GIFD Budget Report August 2015