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Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
WFD board approves budget just under 1M
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Photo by Fran Soto
Wilton Fire Marshal Randy Shelton updates the WFD board on fire prevention services and requests that they consider raising fees for plan reviews.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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Directors of the Wilton Fire Protection District (WFD) board approved the preliminary draft of the WFD 2010-11 budget by a vote of 5 to 0. The final version of the budget is due to be filed with Sacramento County in August.
WFD Chief Tom Dark presented budget figures to the board at the Wednesday, June 16 meeting. Dark told the board the total amount of the budget is $946,000. “The budget committee met, and we trimmed eight to nine percent over last year’s budget,” Dark said. “This budget is fairly conservative.” Members of the budget committee included Dark and directors Al Iaccopucci and Johnny Shackelford.
The approval of the budget did not come without lengthy discussion sparked by questions from Director Joe Guardino. At the heart of Guardino’s concerns were budget items he stated were inflated and the need for repairs around the station. “Can we free up any money to get something done around the station?" he asked. "I’m looking at pulling money from areas that are budgeted high for projects. I pose these questions because they need to be asked.”
In response to Guardino’s concerns, Chief Dark read a list of pending and needed repair projects for Station 81 and Station 84 and estimated it would cost around $20,000 to complete the repairs. Before calling for a motion, Director Obe Brown reminded the board that, if funds are needed as the year progresses, a resolution could be presented to the board to move money from one item to another.
Director Dan Speer pointed out that the final version of the budget is not due until August. “We have two more meetings before the final version needs to be filed with the county,” Speer said. “I make a motion that we approve the preliminary budget.” The board then voted unanimously to approve.
In other business, WFD Fire Marshal Randy Shelton appeared before the board to update directors on fire prevention services and to request that directors consider increasing fees charged by the district. Revenue from fees for plan reviews have fallen due to decreased building, which has adversely affected the fire prevention budget. In his appeal, he cited that both Sac Metro Fire Department and Cosumnes Services District charge higher fees for the same services. “The fees for plan review have not been increased since 2000,” Shelton said. “I would like you to think about fire prevention and fees. We’re off large percentages for doing the same job.”
Shelton also said that he had discussed with Chief Dark the option of putting together a committee to review the fee schedule and could include Chief Dark, himself, two board members and possibly representatives from the public.
At the end of Shelton’s presentation Director Speer offered his opinion on raising fees. “One of the benefits of a volunteer organization is we can keep our fees low for the citizens out here,” he said. “It is a problematic time to increase fees for construction projects, but I’m open to discussion.”
In his presentation, Shelton explained the functions of his office, which include public education, inspection, code application, fire investigation and the weed apartment program. Shelton, who has been with the WFD for five years, also updated the directors on the success of the weed abatement program with the addition of Wilton resident Rick Raeta to the staff. “Rick is able to meet with people and explain the importance of being proactive,” Shelton said.
In other business, Chief Dark updated the board on plans to replace the driveway at Station 84. “To widen to the full width of the building is pretty pricy. It is not in the budget and would increase it by a big chunk,” Dark said. “I think we can hold off for another year.”
Guardino agreed with the chief’s finding and stated that the driveway would need to be concrete if Station 84 were to also function as a training facility. He said that, before any work is done, an overall plan for the facility needs to be completed. “We need to see where we’re going,” Guardino said. “We need to do it right the first time. We should not make a hasty decision. I’m against putting money out - especially without a complete plan.”
Speer said that the work needs to be done, as the driveway is in an advanced state of decay. “The prices we can get now are extremely competitive,” Speer said. “I prefer moving forward sooner rather than later.” Guardino answered that reserve funds would need to be used, and he felt it foolish to deplete funds in the current economy. Brown ruled that the issue be put on hold and addressed in the fall.
The next meeting of the WFD board is Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at WFD Station 81 at the corner of Dillard and Wilton roads.
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