CENTRAL PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE PIERCE COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT NO. 6 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING October 30 th, 2006 Station 6-0

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1 CENTRAL PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE PIERCE COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT NO. 6 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING October 30 th, 2006 Station 6-0 The Special Budget meeting of the Board of Commissioners for Pierce County Fire District No. 6 was called to order by Chairman Willis at 6:04 p.m., at nd Avenue East, Tacoma, Washington. Present were the following: Chairman Willis, Commissioners Nelson, Eckroth, Coleman and Hartloff, Fire Chief Andren, Deputy Chief Willis, Assistant Chiefs Holm, Thomas, Pearson and Tucker, Chief Financial Officer Carlsen, Information Systems Coordinator Travis, Battalion Chief Wright, Financial Analyst Carter-Hoskinson, and Recorder Wiseman. MSO/Paramedic Beckman arrived at 6:10 p.m. Firefighter Roley arrived at 6:25 p.m. Battalion Chief Kondra arrived at 6:30 p.m. Captain Hudspeth arrived at 6:55 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Willis led the flag salute. Message From the Fire Chief Pages 1-6 F/C Andren welcomed and thanked everyone for being here today. F/C Andren stated that this is a Special Meeting for the sole purpose of discussing the 2007 Fiscal Year (FY) Budget so discussion and decisions made must be restricted to that. F/C Andren stated that the Board is being presented with a balanced budget that is a little different over past years in that the Budget document references the seven (7) Key Building Blocks or Strategic Goals of the District. These replace the Four (4) Cornerstones that were referenced in the Strategic Plan of the District. The Seven (7) Key Building Blocks will be referenced in each Division goals, objectives and accomplishments. District Revenues: C/F/O Carlsen covered major revenues for the District starting on page 7 of the Budget. There is $420 million in new construction. The 2007 Assessed Value for the District is 12.7 billion. We did not lift the lid on the Regular Levy so we will be collecting $.86 per thousand. Staff is proposing a 5% COLA increase to the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) to cover the 5% COLA increase in Salaries. C/F/O Carlsen reminded the Board that Pierce County takes 1% of the FBC right off the top for their collection fees. C/F/O Carlsen stated that the EMS Levy and the FBC have both been renewed for six (6) years. Since the EMS Levy was renewed for 2007 we will be collecting the full $.50 per thousand. C/F/O Carlsen reported the estimated revenue from EMS was increased to $2.6 million for next year. C/F/O Carlsen reported we neglected to budget in 2006 for the EMS Transport bills that we send to collections each year when we calculated Page 1 of 6

2 the amount that would be paid from the EMS Levy Program. In 2007 we budgeted for $750,000 that would be paid by the EMS Levy Transport Program. FEMA Grants Page 11 The two (2) FEMA Grants the District has applied for are discussed here. We have not heard as yet if we will be awarded these grants. The funds for these grants are not included in the Budget. Personnel Pages The budget includes funding for an additional fourteen (14) Firefighter/Paramedic positions which includes one (1) replacement position and one (1) position to backfill for the MSO Captain Position. The personnel chart is fluid as personnel move positions. This is a snapshot of what we are proposing for Labor and Industries Rates increased a little, as well as the L, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) rates almost doubled over last year and the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to salaries is 6% for We also must now pay Social Security Taxes on the Runner Salaries and the Volunteer pay. This was discovered when we had our audit by the IRS this year. We have always paid the Medicare portion of the tax but we have not previously been paying the Social Security portion which is 6.2% of the wages paid. Staffing Plan Pages We will complete our Staffing Goal one (1) year early in 2007 by hiring twelve (12) new personnel in 2007 which will complete the third person engine companies and the second Battalion. Materials and Services Pages The budget includes additional funding of $325,000 for a possible Spring Election and the normal funding for two (2) fall elections for Commissioner races. FireComm increased by $27,420. We also examined the Travel and Education line items in each Division and found that it has been over funded for several years. We have reduced this line item in each Division to more accurately reflect the amount used. Capital Outlay Page 15 There is currently $1,175,000 in the capital account line items. $2,000,000 has been set aside to rebuild Station 6-7. Included in this section is funding for the Staffing Program, funds for the District s share of a possible Federal Grant for 800 MHz radios to facilitate better communications with Puyallup Dispatch and funds to complete the IFAS project. There is $352,635 remaining that has not been dedicated to any specific Divisions or projects. It is staff recommendation that this money be placed in a holding account until the matter with Bates has been settled. Page 2 of 6

3 Fund Balance Page 16 The beginning fund balance for FY 2007 is projected to be $7,298,059. This figure consists of the cash carry forward requirement of $4,300,000. Board of Commissioners Pages C/F/O Carlsen reported that there is $8,000 budgeted for a Commissioner s Retreat in 2007 if the Board chooses to have one. The Commissioner s Contingency Fund is budgeted at $150,000 as it was in FY Added this year are service measures for the Board that refer back to the Building Blocks discussed earlier. These are not listed as yet but will be listed on the final budget. Administration Pages The two (2) Central Stores personnel were moved from Administration to their own Division. Other changes include $5,000 to complete the file room project at Station 6-8, we doubled the audit costs for 2007, COLA increases for salaries and then travel and education was reduced by $4,500 over last year. Central Stores Pages This is a new Division in the Budget that was previously listed under Administration. With the implementation of the IFAS Stores Inventory we will be able to more accurately account for all aspects of the Department supplies. Information Systems Pages There are no major changes to the 2007 I/S budget. There is a 90% increase due to licensing renewals for next year. There is also the 5% increase in salaries and benefits for COLA and the PERS increase. Runners Pages There are no significant changes to the Runner Division except the additional funds to pay the 6.2% Social Security taxes we are now being required to pay on these wages. D/C Willis also pointed out the $11,220 that is brought in from other agencies to pay for the services that the Runners do on their behalf. D/C Willis stated that next year he would like to see the Runner portion put into the Central Stores Division. Training Pages There are several minor changes to the Training Budget. As stated above the salaries line item have been increased due to COLA and PERS increases. There is a large increase in Professional Services in order to purchase an online Training Program that we demo d this year. We decided to buy all the features of this training program. The Travel and Education line items have been reduced as stated earlier. Page 3 of 6

4 Communications Pages The FY 06 Final Budget amount should be $37,034. No major changes over last year except the addition of $48,000 for the purchase of 800 MHz equipment to assist in communicating with Puyallup. Fire Suppression Pages Performance objectives were added, most focus on professional growth of our crews. We also funded the purchase and implementation of a staffing program. We have funded for improvements to our current Emergency Operations Center currently located at Station 6-1. Also funded in this budget are funds for a temporary Special Projects Assistant Chief, the purchase of additional 800 MHz portable radios for better communication with Puyallup Fire and the cost of equipment and office items for when another Battalion Chief is assigned to each shift. Across the board most items went down except office supplies, as we will be printing our own maps, and the fuel line item also went up. A/C Tucker explained the water purveyor item. In the past we have helped the water companies with the maintenance of the fire hydrants by doing fire flows. We would like to discontinue this practice and have the water companies take this back. Haz-Mat: This budget remains virtually the same as FY Special Operations: This budget remains virtually the same as FY Residents and Volunteers Pages The Volunteer Division budget will remain essentially the same as FY 2006 except for the large increase for the Social Security Taxes that we are now required to pay. The Chaplain s mileage is reimbursed from this Division which is why the mileage line item is high. Emergency Medical Services and Transport Pages For the 2007 budget, salaries are up 25% due to twelve (12) new positions, overtime has been decreased from $197,000 to $74,000. This decrease is due to the elimination of dedicated day MSO coverage and a decrease in paramedic overtime for training. Benefits are up 42% due to new positions. Immunizations are up due to a new recommendation from Center for Disease Control that healthcare professionals get pertussis vaccinations. Operating supplies increased due to the new intraosseous procedure at $100 a needle. The Physician Advisor increased reflects additional hours by the new advisor but the pay is still the same. Other professional services added to cover costs of the hearing program. Salaries and Benefits increased due to the COLA and PERS increases. Page 4 of 6

5 Prevention and Education Pages There is an increase in the postage and printing costs line items due to the proposed increase in postage rates in 2007 and the possibility of a Bond issue. Salaries and benefits have gone up as stated earlier. Printing and binding costs have also increased. Facilities Pages A/C Thomas stated that there is an increase for operating costs for the new Stations 65 and 68 as the new stations are significantly larger than the old stations. There may be carry over for the fuel tank projects at Stations 6-8 and 6-5. Maintenance Shop Pages A/C Thomas reported that money is budgeted to replace the bay doors at the mechanics shop and there is an increase in salaries and benefits to cover the COLA and PERS increases. Additional Requests Pages The Additional Requests list comes to a total of $287,293. F/C Andren reported there is potential for additional revenue that could possibly fund this list other than the $352,000 that has been set aside to deal with the Bates issue. F/C Andren requested the items be reviewed this evening and possibly approved for future purchases if the Board agrees. Administration: Requesting funds for a color copier and a new front office desk for a total of $8,119. I/S: Requesting funds for a plotter to print out large maps, a three (3) year maintenance contract for the plotter and to hire a software engineer to engineer software specific to our needs. Total funds being requested are $100,574. Fire Suppression: Requesting funds for a four (4) year uniform jacket replacement program, Backpack Petrogen cutting tool, flow meter for L611, lighted tank level indicators for eight (8) engines, portable aircraft radios, QAP Aerial photos, Water/Flood boots, Opticom at 84 th and Canyon, Thermal imaging camera for second Battalion Chief, and wheeled caddy for Special Operations. Total funds being requested are $44,100. EMS: Requesting funds for PIN based reporting system, update restrooms and kitchens with hands free dispensers and to establish an MCI cache. Total funds being requested are $113,000. Prevention and Education: Requesting funds to upgrade to our Knox key system. Total funds being requested are $13,500. Vehicles and Equipment: Requesting funds for Opticom equipment of $8,000. Page 5 of 6

6 Grand total of Additional Requests: $287,293. At 7:57 p.m., Chairman Willis called a ten (10) minute break. At 8:10 p.m., Chairman Willis called the meeting back into session. Equipment Replacement Fund (ERF) Pages C/F/O Carlsen stated that this is a fluid document that needs to be reviewed every year. We are funding it the same as we have since its inception in 2003 with $850,000. She explained that this amount is increased incrementally over several years to allow the availability of funds in the later years where large purchases are anticipated. Approval of the Budget F/C Andren asked for a consensus of the Board that the main body of the budget is acceptable as presented so Resolutions can be prepared. By consensus the Board of Commissioner approved the 2007 FY Budget as presented. The Additional Requests list will be discussed and approved at a later meeting. Adjournment There being no further business, Commissioner Eckroth moved and Commissioner Coleman seconded to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED. The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. ROBERT WILLIS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD VICKY CARLSEN DISTRICT SECRETARY TRACY WISEMAN RECORDER Page 6 of 6