2022-03-14 Minutes
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes – March 14, 2022
Page 1 of 3
Call to Order:
The Meridian Rural Fire Protection District meeting for March 14, 2022, was called to order at 4:00
p.m. by Commissioner Ward. Roll call was taken.
Attendees: Commissioner Marvin Ward, Commissioner Randy Howell, Commissioner Derrick Shannon,
Fire Chief Kris Blume, Bill Nary-City Attorney, John Russell-outside auditor, Attorney John Fitzgerald,
Judy Gerhart and Todd Lavoie-City CFO. Mayor Simison joined virtually at 4:00 pm and left the meeting at
4:25 pm. Derek Nelson joined the meeting virtually at 4:10 pm and left the meeting at 4:23 pm. John Russell
left the meeting at 4:10 pm. Justin Winkler arrived in person at 4:12 pm.
Approval of the Agenda:
Motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting agenda as presented. Motion approved.
Approval of the minutes:
Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the February 14, 2022, MRFPD meeting.
Motion approved.
Presentation and acceptance of the FY2021 MRFPD Audit, Zwygart John & Associates, CPAs, PLLC
The annual audit report for FY2021 was presented to the Commissioners for their review and approval.
The audit showed that the financial records of the Meridian Rural Fire Protection District were in
accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Discussion followed on the contents of
the audit.
Motion was made and seconded to approve the audit as presented. Roll call vote:
Commissioner Ward: Yea;
Commissioner Howell: Yea;
Commissioner Shannon: Yea.
Motion passed.
Mayor Simison addressed the Rural District
Mayor Simison thanked the District for their past and continued support to the Fire Department. Mayor
Simison stated that the City is working on bringing forward an appropriate and more accurate request to the
Rural District for assistance with funding contributions for the staffing at Station 7. Chief Blume has put
together a hiring phasing plan with projected station opening dates. Mayor Simison stated that financial
assistance from the District would be, more than likely, requested for fiscal years 2023 and into 2024.
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes – March 14, 2022
Page 2 of 3
Commissioner Howell asked for clear communication from the Mayor as to why the City is asking the
District to contribute to the funding for the Station 7 personnel. He asked if the funding for personnel for
Station 7 had not been built into the City’s CFP? Mayor Simison explained that he would have to move
other items in the CFP out to later years to accommodate the cost of the new firefighters. Commissioner
Howell asked Mayor Simison if it is the intent of the City to have the two fire stations opened and staffed
with personnel when the stations are completed. Mayor Simison replied that with the Rural’s support, the
City can make that happen with no problems. Mayor concluded by thanking the District for their time.
Treasurer’s Report:
Approve and pay bills as follows:
Check #5417, City of Meridian, $105,524.43, January 2022 A, B, & C Budgets, Inv. #2875
Check #5418, John O. Fitzgerald, II, PC, $851.24, General Legal services for February 2022, Inv.
#2022-03
Motion was made and seconded to approve and pay checks numbered 5417 and 5418 as presented.
Motion approved.
Current net cash position is currently $5,539,629.82.
US Bank Statements for December 2021 and January 2022 were presented for reconciliation and review
LGIP Statement for February 2022 was presented for reconciliation and review
Old Business:
1. Item number one from the Agenda was addressed prior to the Treasurer’s report.
2. Continued discussion on the area of impact in the southwest part of the District, Kuna Fire and the use of
impact fees. CFO for the City of Meridian, Todd Lavoie spoke briefly on impact fees for the District.
Commissioner Howell asked if it would be prudent for the District to identify the numbers of potential
houses, and the amount of money that could be or should be collected in the southwest part of the District.
Todd Lavoie asked the District what they would want to collect the money for. He explained that money you
collect from impact fees must be collected and expended within 8 years on a capital asset that you are
prepared to own, operate and keep for at least for 10 years. Another item to consider is that you would have
to own a current asset that already provides a level of service in order to collect impact fees to continue that
level of service. Discussion followed on the feasibility of the District collecting impact fees.
New Business:
1. Beginning discussions on possible future transfers of assets from the Rural Fire District to the City of
Meridian, (Land and Stations). Todd Lavoie presented a spreadsheet outlining the ownership of all of the
Meridian Fire Department land (real property) and improvements thereon and the percentage of ownership of
each entity: The City of Meridian and the Meridian Rural Fire Protection District. Contracts, deeds,
agreements, MOU’s etc. were examined by Todd Lavoie and Judy Gerhart to determine the percentages.
The spreadsheet breaks out the land and the station or building construction separately, shows the date
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes – March 14, 2022
Page 3 of 3
acquired, price at acquisition, etc. The spreadsheet does not show land or assets that the Rural District owns
independently from the City. Attorney Fitzgerald will review the spreadsheet and compare it to his records
for the District. Attorney Fitzgerald asked if there has been a title search for the land documents to verify
how the deeds are vested. Bill Nary, replied no, but it is something they could look at doing.
2. Judy Gerhart asked if the Rural Fire District budget hearing have to be held in August. The District has to
notify Ada County of the budget hearing date by April 30th. Attorney Fitzgerald will review the statutes to
answer that question and will report back at the April meeting. This item will be placed on the agenda for
discussion at the April meeting.
3. Chief Blume announced that today is Judy Gerhart’s last Rural Fire District meeting as she is retiring on
April 6th, 2022. Chief Blume announced that the level of involvement from the administrative staff may be
reduced going forward. The District thanked Judy for her support of the District over the last 17 years.
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the March 14, 2022, meeting of the Meridian Rural Fire Protection
District. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.