LINN  — At their December meeting, Linn Fire Protection District board members adopted the FY 2023 budget based on a tax rate of $0.2671 per $100 assessed valuation, which is expected to generate $290,980.55 in revenue at 95% collection. Assessed valuation totals $114,674,399, giving the district a maximum collection of $306,295.32.

“We don’t budget at 100 percent because you never get it all,” said Chairman Scott Herndon, noting that in 2022, the district collected 98%. “You have people that won’t pay their taxes and others that wait or protest, and that money gets set aside until it’s resolved.”

This year, LFPD plans to pay off the new truck totaling $298,824, and Herndon noted that with the new truck, the district shouldn’t have to purchase another one for quite some time. He added that if LFPD can save $80,000 a year, a new station at the Linn Lions Fairgrounds could potentially be a reality in a few years at a cost of about $300,000.

Chief Ron Hoffman agreed, adding that grants could help. Station 2 was built using the Neighborhood Assistance Program.

In other budget news, new equipment increased to $27,650.

Hoffman submitted a grant application for 15 sets of bunker gear totaling $40,000 with a 50% match by LFPD.

Hoffman’s request for a firefighter stipend of $15,000 was approved, and $5,000 for fire calls will continue. “That goes to the firefighters’ association,” said Hoffman of the latter. “I wanted to up the stipend because we’re at 23 firefighters, and we need something to keep them here.”

Hoffman added that county-wide, fire departments are down about 30% in volunteers. “That’s where we’re at,” he said. “Times are different. Two years ago, we had 35 firefighters.”

“There’s no problem with it, but with a couple of new board members, they needed more explanation than those of us who have been around for a while,” said Herndon.

Hoffman noted that the Linn Volunteer Firefighters’ Association uses the fire-calls stipend as part of a discretionary fund for non-budgeted items that benefit LFPD. “Sometimes we use it to buy equipment, so this gives us a little leeway,” Hoffman added.

Board members agreed with both requests.

Department training was set at $5,000, and fuel was budgeted at $10,000. 

Regarding fuel, Herndon said diesel prices have been dropping a bit and asked Hoffman if the district could get by with a budget of $9,000. Last year, fuel was set at $5,000, and $9,951 had been spent at the time of the meeting.

“I think we can,” said Hoffman. “We’ve been modifying driver training, but I don’t see fuel going down any time soon.”

He confirmed that the figure includes fuel for all vehicles and equipment.

Hoffman noted that he would like to get a breakdown from Wex as to what fuel is used for vehicles and what is used for equipment. He asked Treasurer Julie Ruettgers to inquire about it.

Board member Colby Nilges said the district spent $3,500 in 2021 and jumped to $9,951 last year.

Board member Dee Vaughn suggested bumping it to $10,000 to better ensure the district is covered.

LFPD spent almost $17,000 of its equipment budget in 2022, coming in under the $20,000 budgeted. That figure remains the same this year, and equipment maintenance remained at $30,000. 

Station 1 expenses were set at $8,000, with $3,000 for Station 2, $1,500 for Station 3, and $2,000 for Station 5.

Office expenditures increased to $16,000 for the year, and the administrative stipend line item was set at $17,100.

The insurance premium was budgeted at $30,000. Also in the budget are advertising ($300), legal fees ($250), and drug/alcohol testing ($200).

In his report, Hoffman noted garage damage at Station 1 cost $3,282, with a $500 deductible.

“How do we prevent that in the future?” Herndon asked.

Hoffman said the rule has always been that the door is never opened part-way. “You always make sure it’s all the way up or all the way down,” he added.

Hoffman agreed, adding there is equipment that can let drivers know whether the door is open all the way.

“So we’ll chalk it up to human error and move on,” said Herndon.

* Board members agreed with Hoffman’s request to replace the sign near Station 1 with a digital marquee. The volunteer firefighters’ association would pay for the project. Content would be community-oriented, and there’s a potential for “wholesome” advertising.

* Hoffman said most cameras in Station 1 are broken, and the association has offered to pay to replace them. Additionally, he noted an antenna would provide coverage for Station 5 as well, with a plan to place two cameras at that location. Hoffman said it’s a good idea to increase coverage in light of the recent trailer theft.

* LFPD is still trying to get water to Station 5. Hoffman said temporary top-offs using a truck are the only source of water. He plans to write a formal letter to the city of Linn requesting help.

* There are no residents at Station 1.

* LFPD’s Christmas party will be held on Jan. 28.

* Bills were approved for $8,315.55.

* Ruettgers’ report showed a checking balance of $67,987.22, a savings balance of $171,718.81, a certificate of deposit balance of $310,935.92, and $6,568.54 in a fundraising account.