2021-07-12 Minutes
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642 Meeting Minutes – July 12, 2021
Page 1 of 3
Call to Order:
The Meridian Rural Fire Protection District meeting for July 12, 2021, was called to order at 4:00
p.m. by Commissioner Ward. Roll call was taken.
Attendees: Commissioner Marvin Ward, Commissioner Derrick Shannon, Commissioner Randy
Howell, Amy Manning, Judy Gerhart, Deputy Chief Charlie Butterfield, Division Chief Kevin Fedrizzi
and Attorney John Fitzgerald.
Approval of the Agenda:
Motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting agenda with an addition under Old Business for
an update on the burn and clean-up of the Lake Hazel property. Motion approved.
Approval of the minutes:
Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the June 14, 2021, MRFPD meeting.
Motion approved.
Treasurer’s Report:
• Approve and pay bills as follows:
Check #5382, City of Meridian, $100,145.58, May 2021 A, B, & C Budgets, Invoice #2809
Check #5383, John O. Fitzgerald, II, PC, $929.24, General Legal services for June 2021,
Invoice #2021-7
A motion was made and seconded to approve and pay checks numbered 5382 and 5383 as
presented. Motion approved.
• US Bank Statement for May 2021 and LGIP Statement for June 2021 were presented for review and
approval
• Current net cash position is currently $4,126,355.32
• Commissioner Howell met with Kathleen Roma of Kathleen Roma and Associates last week and
reviewed the monthly process of accounting needs for the District. They also reviewed the draft L-2
Form from the County and our preliminary draft budget.
• Commissioner Howell completed the annual worker’s comp payroll form and sent it to the State
Insurance Fund.
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642 Meeting Minutes – July 12, 2021
Page 2 of 3
Old Business:
1. Self-Funded Health Benefits for Idaho Public Agencies, IIIA, presentation from Amy Manning, III-A
Executive Director. Amy Manning discussed how their self-funded health benefits program started and
how it currently runs. Discussion followed on whether or not this self-funded benefit program would
work for the District or any of the non-union Fire Department employees.
2. Continued discussion on the FY22 fiscal year budget and approval of the draft budget for publication.
Commissioner Howell presented a draft preliminary budget. Ada County is still waiting on some
information from the State. Some of the line items were broke out more specifically this year such as
the weed control and utility assessments expenses. The Rural District’s contribution does not include
any replacement fire engines. The ladder truck cost will be carried forward to FY22 as it will be
received after October 1st. The City of Meridian has determined that the contribution from the District
should be set at 8% again this year based on City and Rural population and property values assessments.
Commissioner Howell asked if the District would like to adjust the Commissioner wages as they have
not had an increase in a few years.
A motion was made and seconded to increase the Commissioners pay by 3% for each Commissioner.
Motion approved. That change will be made to the draft budget prior to publication.
Motion made and seconded to accept the recommended 8% Rural Fire District contribution to the City
of Meridian Fire Department fiscal year 2022 budget and to approve the draft budget for publication
with the increase of 3% to the Fire District Commissioner wages. Motion approved.
3. Discussion on commitment to fund personnel costs for the South station in fiscal year 2023. Chief
Butterfield asked the Rural if they still intend to assist in funding personnel costs for the South Station
for the first year. Commissioner Ward stated that he has attended a recent City Council meeting and
informed City Council and the Mayor of the District’s intent to assist with the personnel costs. They are
happy to discuss this in more detail at the appropriate time when needed. Commissioner Shannon asked
if the Department still intends to apply for grant assistance; Chief Butterfield replied yes that is still the
plan. Commissioner Howell asked if the District might be in a better position to apply for a grant rather
than the City. Chief Butterfield will look into that option.
4. Division Chief Fedrizzi gave a brief report on the recent training burn at the Lake Hazel property. Chief
Fedrizzi thanked the District for allowing the training on the house to occur. Chief Butterfield presented
a proposal from ESI for approval and signature for the cleanup of the Lake Hazel property. Cleanup
should take a few weeks.
5. Chief Butterfield gave an update on the status of Station 7 and 8. Both stations are still included in the
FY22 budget proposal but are awaiting final approval at the City of Meridian’s budget hearing which is
scheduled for August 17th. Design phases are moving forward. Design costs will be slightly less for
Station 8 since it is almost identical to Station 7.
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642 Meeting Minutes – July 12, 2021
Page 3 of 3
New Business:
1. No new business.
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the June 14, 2021, meeting of the Meridian Rural Fire Protection
District. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 5:11 p.m.