Special Assessment Approved to Balance 2011 CSFCA Budget

At the CSFCA Annual Meeting held on December 2, 2010 in Keystone, CO, the members assembled approved the 2011 Budget for the Association which had been recommended by the Board of Directors.   In a related action, CSFCA membership approved a one-time special assessment, intended to balance the 2011 CSFCA Budget.  According to CSFCA President-elect Steve Pischke, “this special assessment is intended to make the budget whole, with the caveat that the Association will study and come up with a plan that will provide for a sustainable organization for now and in the future. 

The one-time, special assessment that was approved by CSFCA membership to go out with the 2011 dues notices is:

Volunteer Fire Departments:          $50

Combination Fire Departments:       $100

Career Fire Departments:              $200

Unfortunately, for the past two years, the CSFCA has had to “dip” into its fund balance in order to operate the Association.  This, coupled with a down-year in revenue last year, created the situation where the Board was looking at a 2011 budget that would be significantly in the red.

Prior to recommending the special assessment, the Board had evaluated a proposed increase in membership dues, however, it was decided that the entire dues structure needed to be examined instead of simply passing on a dues increase.  It was pointed out that the special assessment would be coupled with appointment of a “Budget Work Group” that would be tasked with examining the long term financial stability of the organization.  According to President-elect Pischke, “work group members will be asked to think ‘outside the box’ as it relates to the budget and how we do business.”

The Budget Work Group appointed by President-elect Pischke is:

Chief Larry Donner, Boulder Fire Department

Chief Dan Qualman, South Metro Fire Rescue

Dep. Chief Don Lombardi, West Metro Fire Rescue

Chief Ken Watkins, Grand Junction Fire Department

Chief Marshall Cook, Lamar Fire & Ambulance Service

Chief Mike Morgan, Rifle Fire Protection District

Chief Rich Graeber, Upper Pine Fire Protection District

Paul Cooke, CSFCA Executive Director (ex-officio)

The Budget Work Group will begin meeting in this month and welcomes input from any CSFCA member.

Download 2011 Adopted Budget here.

Posted 01-11-11