FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 5 MASON COUNTY

Chairperson Griffey called the meeting of November 9, 2005 to order at 7 P.M. Present were Commissioner Hauser and Chief Knight.

The minutes of the meeting of 10/26/05 were read.  Chairperson Griffey stated these minutes would be presented at the next meeting when Commissioner Taylor is in attendance.

CHAIRPERSON GRIFFEY OPENED THE 2006 BUDGET HEARING AT 7:05 P.M.

The 2006 Budget Summary was reviewed. A discussion followed.

Chief Knight stated that the Lid Lift vote is at 52% yes votes and it appears the Levy Lid Lift passed.  The board could wait until the next regular meeting on Nov. 23 when Commissioner Taylor is in attendance to approve the budget. 

Public Comments and Suggestions: Mr. Tom Brokaw asked about salary and benefit breakdown.  Chief handed out a copy of the percentage breakdown of salaries in the budget.  Mr. Brokaw asked for specific categories of salaries and a copy of the District Salary Schedule.  While looking at a copy of the proposed budget Mr. Brokaw stated that the figures are confusing and there is no way to discover how much the salaries for individual are, the salaries are spread out in too many categories.  Chief said that the budget is set up to separate Fire from EMS and salaries apply to both categories.  More discussion followed.

Mr. Cassell asked about the value of volunteers and Chief stated that they are a very important part of this fire district.  Chief stated that the District could not afford to replace volunteers with paid staff.  It would cost approximately $400,000.00 annually to man a fire station, and with ten stations the cost to man them would be enormous.

Mr. Brokaw asked about the revenue from new construction.

The budget hearing portion of the meeting adjourned at 7:33 P.M.

The regular meeting reconvened at 7:33 P.M.

Correspondence: Jim Ghiglione, Chair of the Mason County EMS Budget Committee sent a letter regarding Funding for the MPD and QA process.

Assistant Chief Tim McKern prepared an activity report dated 10/31/05.

The Election results were discussed.  The Yes Votes are 52%: to pass the Lid Lift, the yes vote requirement is 50% + 1.  The results will be finalized later in the week.

Business for Consideration:

THE VOUCHERS WERE REVIEWED.  MOTION MADE BY HAUSER AND SECONDED BY GRIFFEY TO APPROVE FOR PAYMENT VOUCHER #21267 THROUGH AND INCLUDING #21299 TOTALING $28,580.43 FOR OPERATIONS.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Public Comments and Suggestions: None

The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 P.M. until the next regular meeting scheduled for November 23, 2005 at 10 A.M.

Signature on File_______________          Signature on File_______________

Chairperson Del Griffey                         Commissioner Tom Taylor

Signature on File_______________           Signature on File_______________

Commissioner Lorne Hauser                    Recording Secretary Donna M. Clark