Fire district’s 2022 budget approved unanimously

All seven municipalities in the Central Fire and EMS District have voted in favor of a 2022 budget that raises dues by a total of $25,100.

According to minutes from the district board’s Oct. 21 meeting, the cities of Abbotsford and Colby, the village of Dorchester and the towns of Colby, Holton, Hull and Mayville all voted yes on next year’s budget.

The district plans on collecting $288,949 from the seven municipalities in 2022, an increase of 9.5 percent over this year. This comes after a $106,500 decrease in dues from 2020 to 2021.

In addition to the $25,100 increase from the municipalities, the district will collect $2,000 more from the village of Unity and the town of Frankfort, which contract with the district for fire protection services.

All together, the district plans on taking in $621,950 in revenues next year, which includes $275,000 in ambulance service fees and $20,000 in fire department service fees.

Other business

_ District chief Joe Mueller told the board that one of the ambulances hit a deer, causing significant front end damage. Estimates to fix the vehicle range from $5,200 to $7,200, with a $2,500 deductible to be paid.

_ Mueller said the district’s truck committee went over the final specs of a new fire engine ordered from Pierce Manufacturing. The quoted price did not included a 360-degree camera worth $4,225 that helps firefighters see all exterior angles from inside the truck.

Firefighter Randy Hesgard told the board that the 360-degree camera is a necessary safety component for firefighters operating the engine.

The board also discussed $2,600 in lettering graphics needed for the truck, but no action was taken because the items were not on the agenda.

_ The district responded to 112 calls between Sept. 16 and Oct. 21, including 106 ambulance runs and six fire calls.

_ The board was told that over 960 kids went through the district’s smoke house during National Fire Prevention Week.