Carmen Wailes

The meeting included discussion on the maximum amount of the first sale of the General Obligation Bonds previously approved by voters. A significant portion of the discussion focused on exploring an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Tonto Basin Fire District to share a Fire Chief on an interim basis. Reasons for this included reducing overtime expenses for covering shifts and allowing a recruitment period for a full-time Chief. The Board discussed and favored a 60/40 split rate for the IGA, suggesting a potential start date of March 1, 2026. Future meeting dates were also established.

The special joint board meeting focused on discussing and potentially taking action regarding sharing the services of a Fire Chief on an interim basis between the Tonto Basin Fire District (TBFD) and Pine-Strawberry Fire District (PSFD). The Boards reviewed a proposed 6-Month Interim Intergovernmental Shared Services Agreement for Fire Chief's Services. Specific feedback and requested modifications to the contract included adding a line item for PSFD providing a designated vehicle, confirming insurance coverage for contract employees, clarifying the PSFD Chairman's role as CEO over the Fire Chief, modifying the Chief's duties to ensure guidance by the Boards, adding mailing addresses, and incorporating a 'Pause of Contract' mechanism. Following a cost breakdown review, both Boards agreed to hold separate internal meetings before reconvening for a follow-up joint meeting on February 11, 2026, to further discuss the agreement and cost sharing.

Key discussions included action on the maximum amount for the first sale of General Obligation Bonds, where the Board unanimously passed a motion to proceed with the $5.35 million amount. Additionally, the Board discussed the timing for the Interim Fire Chief's performance evaluation, deciding that individual portions would commence immediately, with the second portion to be conducted at the general meeting in March. Other items for discussion involved the possible sharing of Fire Chief services through an Inter-governmental Agreement.

The regular meeting included a presentation of the August 2025 Financial Report, which was approved. The Fire Chief's Report detailed emergency activity, noting 85 total dispatches for July, including one fire call, 49 rescue/EMS calls, and 29 miscellaneous service calls. Old Business focused on the Bond Issuance, reporting that a Car Show raised $1,100 for the Political Action Committee (PAC) and that voter information ballots were mailed, with the election being all by mail. Discussions continued regarding potential property sites for future facilities, emphasizing due diligence on outright purchases versus long-term leases.

The primary discussion focused on the process for hiring a full-time Fire Chief, considering options such as appointing, recruiting, hiring an interim chief, or entering into a shared services agreement. The current Interim Fire Chief agreed to continue in his role until the end of March to allow time for further evaluation. The Board unanimously passed a motion to hire an Interim Chief for a period ending no later than June 30, 2026. Discussions included a potential Shared Services Agreement with Tonto Basin Fire District, whose Chief explained the structure of such an agreement, clarifying that Tonto Basin Fire District Board had not yet endorsed it. The Board decided to await input from the Tonto Basin Fire District Board before taking further action on the hire.