Robert Tharp

The proposed budget for 2020 includes funding for Fire EMS, fire prevention, and personnel to ensure 24/7 availability. A key proposal involves hiring an additional firefighter to enable immediate responses with appropriate fire apparatus. The budget addresses the need for increased staffing to meet evolving departmental needs, focusing on operational salaries and benefits. It also aims to reduce reliance on the fund balance to stabilize the financial situation. The budget supports maintaining compliance with NFPA standards, particularly NFPA 1720, which sets response time benchmarks. The budget also covers the increasing funding obligations for a firefighter currently supported through a federal grant.

The budget includes discussion of the annual election, a comparison to the 2024 adopted budget, and explanations for variances over +/-10% for each line item. The budget addresses shortages of Emergency Medical Technicians, increased operational costs, increases in insurance premiums, and the hiring of an additional firefighter to meet NFPA standards for deployment of emergency services and personnel contractual costs. It also covers administrative costs, upgrades to administrative office supplies and furniture, and the upgrading of office equipment. The budget includes costs associated with fuel, utilities, personnel benefits, insurance, and equipment, as well as the replacement of aging building systems. The budget also discusses the impact of the budget on the Amount to be Raised by Taxation, the use of the Restricted and Unrestricted Fund Balance(s) and how they are complying with the Property Tax Levy Cap. Capital appropriations including debt service for the proposed budget year and for future years are also discussed.

The budget includes revenues from municipal assistance, EMS billing, and grants. It allocates funds for administration, operations, and capital projects, including vehicle replacement and building maintenance. The budget addresses shortages of Emergency Medical Technicians, increased operational costs, insurance premiums, and personnel contractual costs. It also plans to use fund balance to offset a fire tax increase.

The audit report includes a discussion and analysis of the Fire District's financial activities for the year ended December 31, 2021. Key topics include the Fire District's net position, changes in net position, and fund balances. The report also covers capital assets, debt administration, and budgetary highlights, as well as economic factors considered in preparing the 2022 budget. Additionally, it addresses cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and compliance with accounting standards and government auditing standards.