RFD trustees had difficult decision
Editor,
At the July 26 Polson Rural Fire District Board meeting Chief Maloney opened the only bid received for the two new fire trucks. The quoted price was $518,146 after incentives plus the cost of approximately $101,000 in interest on the seven year loan. Since that night I have had many sleepless nights as a Trustee trying to work out how the district can possibly afford such a price tag.
Last spring as a new trustee, I worked very hard to persuade the residents of this district to pass the five-mil equipment levy upon the recommendation from Chief Maloney that five mils would cover the cost of the vehicles. I co-authored, with the Board, a letter to the voters that promised we would write a frugal budget, put money back into the capital reserve account for unexpected financial needs, buy two fire trucks and make extra payments to reduce the length of the seven-year loan. This levy should generate over the next seven years at least $480,462 ($505,750 less five percent in unpaid taxes).
On July 31 the board met to review the bid and after much heartfelt discussion and some surprising comments from two members of the fire department, the Board decided to buy the Pumper/Type 1 Engine for Station #1, and not to use capital reserve funds; then in two or three years time, purchase the second truck. I was one of the three trustees who voted for this motion.
The week progressed with the Fire Chief presenting new amortization schedules and financial projections. A last minute, special meeting was called for Aug. 7 at noon. At the beginning of this meeting I made a motion to postpone to Wednesday, Aug. 9, which was our advertised scheduled monthly meeting to avoid any problems with the open meeting laws and proper advertising. The Board voted to postpone. An informal and "off the record" meeting followed with many residents showing their concern over the budget with sometimes emotional statements from both the residents and some firefighters.
Wednesday night the scheduled Trustee meeting was held in Big Arm and once again many residents attended along with a large group of firefighters from Station #1 and Big Arm Station #2. After discussing the normal monthly business Chief Maloney asked the Board to re-discuss the second vehicle purchase. I suggested that the Board put this vehicle back out for a more competitive bid by advertising more widely, be even more generic in the specifications and to give more time to the vendors. I also suggested that the Fire Chief consider buying a used vehicle and requested him to consider all options.
After much discussion Trustee Nelson made a motion to buy the second vehicle without using any of the money in the reserve fund. The motion passed with four trustees voting yes and I voted no.
Operational funds will be used to help pay for these two vehicles and I still believe that this decision is extremely financially risky and certainly some of our promises will be broken. However, the majority of the board made the decision and I have to support their decision as part of the team. I hope that the predictions of higher tax revenues through increased development, more miscellaneous fees from using the district's equipment on DNRC and Tribal fire fighting endeavors, potential increases in development review fees all become a reality.
I sincerely hope the trustees will keep their promise of holding a tight rein on spending. At that meeting the firemen promised to help raise funds to share in the cost of the equipment. I hope that the City of Polson does not annex any more of the rural district into city limits reducing our rural tax revenues. I also hope that we have no major equipment needs during the next seven years.
I thank everyone for participating and trust you will continue to show your interest by attending the Board meetings regularly. I did not vote for the new budget but will continue to represent the residents of the district by advocating frugal and fiscally responsible actions by the trustees. I am asking the district's residents to contact me with their ideas, questions and concerns so I can continue to represent their wishes as a Board member.
Alison Meslin
Polson Rural Fire District Trustee
849-6628