Fire District No. 1 approves thermal imaging camera purchase, establishes budget authority and publishes maximum levy notice

During the recessed Fire District No. 1 meeting, purchasing director Joe Thomas (speaker 21) presented a bid recommendation for thermal imaging cameras to Weiss Fire and Safety Equipment in the amount of $98,405 for distribution across the district's apparatus. The board approved the bid by motion and then established budget authority to access $98,405 from the Fire District Special Equipment Fund to complete the purchase.

Lindsay/Lindsey Perso (speaker 20), speaking as finance lead for the district, said the special equipment fund holds more than $11 million in informational budget schedules and that statute limits how the special equipment fund may be used; the board agreed that the fund is a proper source for the cameras and for other long-term planning items such as a training facility. Chief Doug Williams (speaker 26) explained the purchase replaces lower-end cameras that had reliability issues and said the district needs reliable cameras for firefighter safety.

The district then authorized publishing its maximum proposed budget and a notice of intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate; budget director Lorraine Showalter (speaker 24) said the fire district's maximum budget is $33,499,131 with a proposed ad valorem levy of $25,438,662, which equates to 16.754 mills. The board approved the publication and scheduled the same public hearings as the county-level process.

Votes and procedural notes

- Motion to accept bid from Weiss Fire and Safety Equipment for thermal imaging cameras ($98,405): passed (roll call recorded).
- Motion to establish budget authority in the Fire District Special Equipment Fund for $98,405: passed (roll call recorded).
- Motion to authorize publication of the fire district's proposed maximum budget ($33,499,131) and notice to exceed the revenue-neutral rate (15.576 mills): passed (roll call recorded).

Provenance: SEG 2422SEG 2460 (bid presentation), SEG 2463SEG 2479 (budget authority discussion), SEG 2703SEG 2756 (fire district levy publication).