Fire Commissioners Minutes May 9, 2016

SKAGIT COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 17

(Minutes pending approval)

May 9, 2016

Commissioner Chip Bogosian, Chairman, called the Regular Fire Commissioners meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Present:  Commissioners Bogosian, Murphy and Margeson, Chief G. Francis, Medical Officer N. White, Mechanical Engineer L. Pyke, PIO L. Francis and Secretary Murray. Community members present:  Edith Walden of the Guemes Tide, and Frank Crawford.

The minutes of April 11, 2016 were unanimously approved with the wording change that community members present are not guests.

Treasurer’s Report:  Beginning May Operating Fund balance $72,120.14.  Beginning May Investment Fund balance $41,348.15. Beginning May Capital Fund balance $74,872.31 ($32,532.75 cash, $42,339.56 invested). May expenses were $5,904.18 and payroll was $2,548 for a grand total of $8,452.18. Firefighter stipends for April responses, meetings, training, etc. was $1810. Revenue in April consisted of $59,646.91 taxes collected plus $1,017.93 in additional deposits and donations.

SOG 108 states that the District Secretary shall be paid for a day of service when attending seminars and trainings but does not specify the rate of pay. Secretary Murray asked the Commissioners for clarification.

As promised at the April meeting, Secretary Murray researched and gave a detailed report of factors that cause apparent changes in the budget report from month-to-month. Examples are payments to Social Security and L&I that are not known at the time of Commissioner meetings; code revisions by the Auditor; deposit errors by the Skagit Treasurer, etc. A lengthy discussion followed about the accounting methods of the Skagit Auditor and Treasurer and their reports that are difficult for the average person to interpret. Commissioner Margeson is acting as liaison with a professional accountant who will work with Secretary Murray to update our accounting system.

Open:  Edith asked about our newest EMT and Chief Francis announced that Eric Kankaala passed the national exam and is listed as pending on the registry. Congratulations, Eric!

Chief’s Report:  Chief Francis reported on weekly drill, call outs and off-island training which was extensive in the month of April. Of note is the ECO-protest this weekend (May 13-15). The Guemes Fire Department will be on 30-minute standby to assist with water rescue if needed for the kayaktivists who come to Anacortes. See detailed report.

 

Old Business:  Commissioner Margeson was asked by former Commissioner Dugan about the posting of the Budget Report. PIO Francis explained that links to the Budget Report and Chief’s Report are always located at the bottom of the minutes that are posted on LineTime as soon as possible after the public meeting. Commissioner Murphy asked if there exists a reserve of banked tax revenue from previous years that the fire district can collect. Secretary Murray will meet with the Deputy Assessor and report at the June meeting.

New Business: Mechanical Engineer Pyke and Chief Francis advised the Commissioners that as our buildings age it is difficult to find appropriate parts for repair and maintennace. Secretary Murray distributed a letter from Skagit County Commissioners that was received today regarding Capital Facilities Plans for 2017-2036. They are asking for an inventory by July 18, 2016 of existing capital facilities and a forecast of future needs.

Commissioners reviewed invoices from April 8 to May 6, 2016 and approved invoices in the amount of $5,904.18 and payroll of $2,548 for a total of $8,452.18. 

 

The next regular meeting will be June 13, 2016 at 7 PM in the Fire Hall. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.

 

Submitted by

Diane Murray, Secretary         

                             _______________________________________

Skagit County Fire District 17

Commissioner Chip Bogosian, Chairman

Chief's Report April 2016

GIFD Budget Report May 2016