Captiva fire board approves resolutions, begins budget talks
The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission approved replacement gear and closing documents for a line of credit at its recent meeting, as well discussed next year’s budget and more.
On June 13, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution to purchase four new sets of Globe Bunker Gear from Bennett Fire Products for a price not to exceed $3,169. Fire Chief Jeff Pawul explained that the board previously agreed on replacing the gear over a staggered three-year period.
“The gear we’re currently in is timing out in the next couple of years,” he said.
The commission also voted 3-0 on a resolution that authorizes the district to borrow funds from Synovus in the event of a catastrophic event in the form of a not-to-exceed $750,000 line of credit.
“Basically, it’s an emergency line of credit if we were to need it,” Pawul said.
“It’s not something we need currently for operations,” he added. “But if we have another storm event this year, we just wanted to have that safety net just in case.”
Also during the meeting, staff and the board discussed the budget for fiscal year 2023-24 and early property valuations for Captiva recently released by the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office. They reviewed the soft numbers and talked about what the district’s budget could look like for next year.
Pawul noted that June’s valuations are preliminary estimates and may change.
“But we know it’s definitely going to be a drop, so there’s nothing we can do about that,” he said, referring to comparing this year’s and last year’s numbers. “So we’ll have to make up the difference.”
Potential, budget line items discussed included the need to purchase a new ladder truck if proposed amendments to the Captiva Code in the county’s Land Development Code and the Captiva Community Plan allow for taller structures. Pawul received a quote of about $1.65 million for such apparatus.
Increasing the district’s reserves over several budget cycles was also covered.
“Our reserves were too low to handle this type of event,” he said of Hurricane Ian and the financial impacts. “We need to increase our reserve funds in case this type of thing ever happens again.”
On the subject of the Code and Plan amendments being proposed by county staff, the commissioners also voted 3-0 to send a letter to the Lee County Commission outlining how that would impact the district by increasing its operations and costs, including the need for a new truck and additional staff.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The district’s annual financial audit will be completed later this month.
“It wasn’t done yet,” Pawul said. “So they’re going to present it at July’s meeting.”
– There are a number of fire inspections to conduct with the ongoing repairs and new construction.
“We have a lot of them with all of the rebuilding,” Pawul said.
– The district responded to 32 incidents in May compared to about 50 for the same month last year.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email