Meade County FPD discusses long-range budget By SANDRA STONE Long-range planning continues to be the subject of much discussion at monthly meetings of the Meade County Fire Protection District board of trustees. During its Feb. 19 meeting, trustees discussed the budget with an eye toward building a new facility while maintaining services to the district. Chairman Martin Bosemer advised the auditor had reviewed the budget and recommended the following: • Retain $100,000 in reserve for a catastrophic event. • It is estimated an additional $70 to $90 per year will be needed, depending on amount borrowed for the new building. • Estimate a tax rate increase from 7.5 cents per $100 to 9 or 10 cents per $100 to cover annual payment over 20 years based on a $1.2 million project. The last item on the list of recommendations sparked spirited discussion. “We need to come up with a building we can afford,” said property owner trustee Bruno Ilario. “We also told the people we wouldn’t raise taxes when we hired the chief.” Firefighter trustee Mike Curl agreed with Ilario, saying the district needs to prioritize, and at this point, the focus should be on the building. “Without hydrants, you can’t fight much,” said Bosemer, who added the issue of fire hydrants had been before the board for four years and it was time to address it, particularly with the anticipated extra needs involved with the anticipated riverport and ethanol plant. Discussion continued for some time with no progress made. The board finally agreed to review the budget during the March meeting and the building presentation in April prior to making decisions about the long-range budget. Treasurer Jim Anthony presented the financial reports for January. Expenditures for January totaled $132,774.04. Current assets in checking and savings as of Jan. 31 totaled $135,729.40. Chief Larry Naser requested and received authorization to purchase pagers from the Radcliff Fire Department. It had been assumed when two-way handheld radios were purchased with a FEMA grant, they would take the place of pagers. This has not worked out as hoped, said Naser. On a motion by Curl, seconded by property owner trustee John Abadie, the request was unanimously approved. Naser reported the following: 32 runs since the last meeting, 17 EMS, four house fires, five alarms sounding and three motor vehicle accidents with entrapment. Training for 2007 totals 755 hours. Personnel issues: George Ead and Harold Cheek received state firefighter certification. Hubert Curl turns 18 and will come to the district as a certified firefighter. Raymond Downs was also recommended for regular firefighter status. Kenny Wayne resigned due to returning to school. Robert Trent Jr. resigned due to moving to Louisville, and Bob Trent sent word of his intent to resign because he is moving, but there has been no official notification. All equipment has been returned by firefighters on inactive status. Naser received authorization to attend a seminar on vehicle fire investigation along with engineer Jason Jones.
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