Steve Leighton

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussions involved adopting Resolution 20-2025 to establish the 2026 regular meeting calendar, ultimately moving the meeting time from 3:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. starting in January 2026. Resolution 21-2025 was adopted to accept a $50,000 funding agreement from the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation to support the Forest Fuels Program, covering defensible space improvements and software purchases across five ongoing projects. The Board also formally approved the 2026, 2027, and 2028 salary schedules, which reflect a 5% increase as stipulated by the existing Memorandum of Understanding. Furthermore, the Board declared several older vehicles and equipment as surplus to be sold via auction or consignment to fund replacements. The finance report review indicated that North Tahoe Fire ended 2024/2025 at approximately 109% of budgeted revenue due to strike team activity, and noted the receipt of final bankruptcy settlement funds. In closed session, the Board unanimously approved a Settlement Agreement with Placer County, agreeing to repay $175,142.92 regarding Short Term Rental inspection fees.

The agenda for this regular meeting included several critical items. Key discussions involved a public hearing regarding Resolution 06-2024, which concerns the negotiated transfer of General Fund ATI upon the dissolution of the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District and subsequent annexation. The Board was set to consider Resolution 07-2024 accepting a $400,000 funding agreement from the Truckee-Tahoe Airport District for the River Road Buffer Zone Fuels Reduction Project. Other considerations included the Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025, authorization for a Five-Year Lease Purchase Agreement for one new ambulance (M-113), and unbudgeted capital purchase requests for PFAS Free Structural Turnouts (not to exceed $90,000) and one LEVO e-bike. The meeting also allotted time for future planning with Meeks Bay Fire and comprehensive finance and staff reports.

The meeting agenda included several key items requiring action or discussion. The Board planned to hold a public hearing regarding the Capital Facilities and Mitigation Fee Expenditure Plan for Fiscal Year 2025/2026, and to introduce and waive the second reading of Ordinance 01-2026 concerning fees for cost recovery of Fire & Life Safety Activities. Additionally, the Board intended to consider authorizing the Fire Chief to execute a Designation of Subrecipient's Agent Resolution (CAL OES 130 Form). Financial reports, including the Purchases Journal, CalCard Report, Gross Payroll Report, and Account Detail Report, were scheduled for review, along with various staff reports from the Fire Chief and Division Chiefs covering operations, training, fire marshal duties, fuels, facilities, EMS, logistics, and safety. The session also included a scheduled closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding potential litigation.

The Board discussed the adoption of Resolution 18-2025 regarding the Findings of Facts Based on Local Conditions to Support Local Amendments and Ordinance 02-2025 adopting the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code. They also discussed Resolution 19-2025 regarding the inspection of certain occupancies required to perform annual inspections. The finance report was presented, and staff reports were reviewed. The meeting included a Type 6 Push-In Ceremony to commemorate the addition of a new engine to the apparatus fleet. A closed session was held to discuss potential litigation, with no reportable action taken.

The budget includes property and special taxes, other revenues such as transfers from mitigation fee and apparatus reserve accounts, and interest income. It details revenues from ambulance services, GEMT & IGT funds, and various fuels reduction grants from state and federal sources. Personnel costs cover salaries for full-time shift and 40-hour employees, overtime, and part-time salaries. Expenses include safety clothing, communications, computer systems, household expenses, fire extinguishers, general liability insurance, and apparatus maintenance. Other fleet expenses, equipment maintenance, SCBA maintenance, technical rescue equipment, and building and grounds maintenance are also outlined. The budget also covers EMS program expenses, subscriptions and memberships, office supplies, board expenses, professional expenses, other services, publications and notices, travel and meetings, haz-mat, special district expenses, hydrants, suppression, utilities, fire prevention, grants, training and safety, and fire suppression assessment. Capital expenditures and debt extinguishment are also detailed, along with transfers to reserve funds.