Fire district contracts with new auditors
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s commission signed off on a contract for a new audit firm.
At the Nov. 14 meeting, Administrator Mary Hickey explained that the district recently put out a RFP after its existing audit company reported that it would no longer be handling governmental audits.
“We are required by law to have an audit,” she said.
The district received two bids, which the audit committee reviewed.
The committee recommended that the commission go with Grau and Associates, based out of Boca Raton, and sign a five-year contract from 2018-2022 with the option to later renew or dismiss it.
Commissioner Jerry Muench questioned the associated costs.
Hickey explained that the contract for services provided for the first year would total $18,000, then increase by $500 each additional year to reach a cost of $20,000 for the fifth year of service.
“Which is $2,100 to 2,200 cheaper than what we are paying right now,” she said.
The commission approved the contact in a 2-0 vote.
On a separate subject, Hickey explained that the district is a member of the Florida Association of Special Districts and that fellow members have been using an investment group. She proposed the idea of setting aside $200,000 in funds and providing it to the investment group to invest for the district.
“In order to see what kind of return we get with them,” Hickey said.
She noted that it is a liquid fund, with daily return available and no penalties.
The commission voiced support for the move.
Assistant Fire Chief William Briscoe reported that three bids were received for the repairs to the bay roof at Station 172. They came in from Campbell Roofing & Sheet Metal of Florida, Crowther Roofing and Target Roofing & Sheet Metal. He said they went with the lowest bid – Campbell – at $6,200.
Briscoe added that he is working to get the repairs scheduled to begin as soon as possible.
He noted that the new engine recently responded to its first fire call.
According to Briscoe, a pickup truck drove off Island Inn Road and ended up igniting a grass fire, which turned into a brush fire. Crews extinguished the flames, but the truck sustained major damage.
“It’s a complete loss,” he said of the vehicle.
Briscoe is continuing to work with Lee County staff on the tower at Station 172.
Two bids have been received for the project.
Fire Chief Matt Scott told the commissioners that the brush truck is nearing completion.
“We’re very close,” he said, adding that the pump is set for testing next week.
In addition, he reported that the marine vessel at Station 171 recently had some items on it fixed, as well as had the bumper repaired. The boat’s GPS system and equipment also received an upgrade.
The district continues to conduct CPR classes, according to training officer Capt. Tim Barrett. It handled a class at the Sundial recently, and more are scheduled at The Sanctuary and the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Merit Badge University for Boy Scouts, planned for Nov. 17.
“Us and other agencies are going to be doing that,” he said of the refuge’s program.
Barrett reported that the district recently provided AED training at a condo.
He pointed out that it provides the training and certification renewal.
“The training doesn’t cost anything,” Barrett said.
The crew’s ongoing medical training for the month entailed strokes and advanced cardiac life support.
“We’re still spending a good amount of time on the new truck,” he added.
The recent special ops training involved working with the marine emergency response team. Barrett explained that the team first started in Lee, expanding to Collier, Charlotte and the Coast Guard.
“So that’s kind of neat seeing that spread like that,” he said.
Fire Marshal Rick Tassoni stated that construction is status quo and annual inspections continue.
He did provide an update on the delays at the Mud Bugs Cajun Kitchen.
According to Tassoni, the restaurant planned to install an aluminum awning and learned that a new permit could not be pulled until the existing permit was closed. So, it has to complete the ongoing work before it can pull the new permit for the awning. The owner anticipates opening after Thanksgiving.
“They’re in no rush to open up,” he said.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Recently-elected Seat 1 Commissioner Richard McCurry will take office at the December meeting.
– Receptionist Kathy Prosser was recognized for her 14 years of service.
– Firefighter Ed Zarick was recognized for his three years of service.
– There were 123 calls for service in September, as compared to 121 in September of 2017. For the year-to-date total numbers, the district is ahead of last year by 102 calls for service.