2022-06-13 Minutes
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes – June 13, 2022
Page 1 of 3
Call to Order:
The Meridian Rural Fire Protection District meeting for June 13, 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, Councilman Joe Borton, Attorney John Fitzgerald (by telephone), Deputy Chief
Charlie Butterfield and Division Chief Justin Winkler
Approval of the Agenda:
Motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting agenda as modified: The Public Hearing for
Proposed Budget Amendment and the Action Item for Adoption of the Amended Budget to be removed from
today’s agenda. That hearing and action item will be conducted at next month’s meeting in July. The action
item for today’s meeting will be the review of the proposed budget amendment and approval of it for
publication. Motion approved.
Approval of the minutes:
Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the May 9, 2022, MRFPD meeting. Motion
approved.
Action Item:
Approval of proposed amended budget for publication. Commissioner Howell presented copies of the
proposed amended Meridian Rural Fire Protection District FY2022 budget which shows $750,000 moved
from Fund Balance to Capital Outlay for the purpose of purchasing a replacement Water Tender as requested
by the Meridian Fire Department.
Motion was made and seconded to approve amending the current fiscal year budget (October 1, 2021 to
September 30, 2022) as proposed above and to approve for publication the proposed budget amendment and
notice of the public hearing to be held on July 11, 2022. Motion approved.
Treasurer’s Report:
Approve and pay bills as follows:
Check #5429, Ada County Weed & Pest, $279.37, for weed abatement on the Water Tower
Properties, Invoice #191685
Check #5430, City of Meridian, $104,247.94, April 2022 A, B, & C Budgets, Invoice #2894
Motion was made and seconded to approve and pay checks numbered 5429 and 5430 as presented.
Motion approved.
Current net cash position is currently $5,319,438.43.
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes – June 13, 2022
Page 2 of 3
US Bank Statements for March, April & May 2022 and the LGIP Statement for May 2022 were
presented for reconciliation and review
Judy Gerhart will be here tomorrow to assist Randy Howell and Christie Boucher with the preparation of
the budget at the rate of $60 per hour. Motion was made and seconded to contract with Judy Gerhart at
the rate of $60 per hour to assist with the FY23 budget preparation. Motion approved.
Old Business:
1. None
New Business:
1. Logistics Division Chief Justin Winkler presented a contract with Hughes Fire for the purchase of a Water
Tender. Discussion was held. Attorney Fitzgerald did not oppose the Commission signing the contract
before the budget amendment was fully approved in order to prevent the risk of additional costs from interest
rates increasing over the next 30 days. There is also a significant discount if prepaid at 100%. It was
decided that the District would proceed in signing the contract with Hughes to start the process of purchasing
the Water Tender to avoid possible additional costs.
2. Rural Administration Resignation: Christie Boucher has announced her resignation effective July 5th with the
City of Meridian Fire Department. Chief Blume stated that the assistance that Christie’s position has
provided to the Rural District will cease after Christie’s departure from the City. Commissioner Howell has
reached out to Judy Gerhart to ask if she may be interested in assisting the District. Chief Blume stated that
Christie may want to continue to assist the District outside her employment with the City.
3. Chief Blume announced that Meridian Fire will be presenting their first preliminary budget for FY23 to
Meridian City Council this coming Thursday. Part of that presentation includes the Rural’s proposed
contribution for the initial staffing costs for Fire Station 7. Chief Blume asked if one of the Commissioners
could attend the budget workshop this Thursday in case the Council has any questions. Commissioner
Howell asked again for a clear reason as to why the City is asking the Rural District to assist with the
funding for the personnel costs for Station 7. Chief Blume replied that the City can afford it on their own,
but it would come at a cost. The City is not fully funded and without the Rural’s cost share for the Station 7
personnel, something else in the City’s budget would suffer. Councilman Borton added a comment
regarding the shared commitment between the City and the District and mentioned the heavy onboarding
cost of all the anticipated personnel for the 2 upcoming fire stations and also anticipated personnel costs for
SRO’s (School Resource Officers) for the police department. Commissioner Ward will attend the budget
workshop and report back at the next meeting.
4. Justin Winkler reported back on the apparatus that the District owns; Brush 34 and Brush 35, and the White
Chevy pickup. Brush 34 is a 2009, and is scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 2024. Brush 35 is a 2012,
and scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 2027. The Chevy pickup is a 2001, and is 11 years overdue for
replacement but it is only an errand-running vehicle and it is not a critical replacement at this time. Chief
Winkler provided this information for future planning for the District.
5. Chief Butterfield stated station 7 is moving along on schedule.
Meridian Rural Fire Protection District
33 E. Broadway, Suite 210 - Meridian, Idaho 83642
Meeting Minutes – June 13, 2022
Page 3 of 3
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the June 13, 2022, meeting of the Meridian Rural Fire Protection
District. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.