Sanibel fire board OKs station equipment, gets budget update
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s commission approved a fire alerting system for Station 171 and several district policies at its recent meeting, as well as received a six-month financial fiscal update.
On March 12, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution authorizing the purchase of communications equipment from US Digital Designs/Honeywell for a total amount not to exceed about $22,270. The fire alerting system will include one G2 ATX station controller, one ATX UPS and one UPS wall mount.
Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Kevin Barbot explained that in order to connect with the alerting and dispatch system used by Lee County and to continue to serve the community, they took the equipment purchased for Station 172 on Sanibel-Captiva Road and installed it at the Palm Ridge Road station.
He continued that when the construction of Station 172 is finished, they will remove and install the alerting system at Station 172 and the equipment proposed for purchase will be installed at 171.
In addition, the commission voted 3-0 to approve district policies for: Adult Abuse, All Terrain Vehicle Response, Boat Operations, Carbon Monoxide Detector Activations, Child Abuse, District Use of Social Media, Information Technology Use, Mobile Data Terminal Use, National Incident Reporting System, Performance of Duties, Photography and Electronic Imaging, Scene Preservation, and Traffic Accidents.
Also during the meeting, Barbot provided the commissioners with a Year-to-Date Budget Versus Actual Presentation as they are halfway through the fiscal year. He started out by noting that the district tapped its reserves last year in order to keep the millage rate the same and use the rolled-back rate.
He reported the following for ad valorem revenue:
– Total collected: $5,815,775
– Budget: $6,160,860
– Variance: $345,085 remaining
– Percentage of budget achieved: 94.4%
As for personnel services, Barbot shared the following:
– Total spent: $2,247,703
– Budget: $5,367,232
– Six-month benchmark: $2,683,616
– Percentage of budget used: 41.9%
– Variance: $3,119,529 remaining
He noted that personnel is the biggest expense and they are currently under budget.
On operating expenditures, which is also under budget, Barbot reported:
– Total spent: $453,487
– Budget: $1,264,704
– Six-month benchmark: $632,352
– Percentage of budget used: 35.9%
– Variance: $811,217 remaining
He shared that the district’s total interests earned are $291,520.
In addition, Barbot included the following construction budget update for Station 172:
– Total guaranteed maximum price (GMP plus contingencies): $7,939,017
– Total spent to date on GMP: $3,828,541
– Total spent on design development/construction administration: $580,474
– Total spent on demolition: $50,508
– Total spent on district purchased items (non-GMP items): $64,302.88
– Total funding used to date for LAP grant ($6 million): $2,116,356
– Remaining balance (including interest earned): $3,895,869
– Total funding used to date for state appropriation ($2.1 million): $1,355,643
– Remaining balance: $744,365
– Total allocated budget for Station 172 (inclusive of FEMA/insurance): $9,212,856
– Total interest earned to date on allocated funds: $37,691
He reported that they are “going to be close” and added the following:
– Total spent to date on Station 172 reconstruction: $3,858,541
– Remaining funds from established budget: $5,354,315
– Total saved to date from direct purchase orders (DPO): $38,353
IN OTHER NEWS
– Assistant Fire Chief Chris Jackson provided an update on the reconstruction of Station 172.
He reported that all of the roofs were “dried in” as of the previous week and that the spray foam and insulation was complete. Jackson noted that everything passed the required inspections. Work started on the sanitary and sewer plumbing for the second floor, with the plumber to do the water lines next.
He added that LCEC recently installed a new power pole.
– Barbot provided an update on the solar panel project for Station 172.
He reported that because of the funding freeze due to the actions of the Trump administration, the district received notice from FEMA to stop working on the project. Barbot added that they will revisit the project if anything changes or if there are leftover funds for the project after the station is built.
– During commission comments, Commissioner Richard McCurry brought up the Fourth of July and fireworks. He shared that the mayor said the city will do fireworks this year and the Sanibel Causeway will be opened for public viewing. McCurry raised concern about wildfires and the potential for fires.
“We’re dry out there — I want to go on the record saying that I’m opposed to it at this point,” he said. “And also make the request that we have extra hands. I want to have us in a position of readiness.”
Barbot guaranteed that the district would be prepared.
“We are going to be 100% staffed and all chief officers will be on island ready to go,” he said.
– Deputy Fire Chief John DiMaria reported that the district responded to 158 calls in February, compared to 124 calls for the same month last year. It has responded to a total of 397 calls this year, compared to a total of 266 calls for the same time period in 2024.
“Our call volume has increased by 30%,” he said.
– Division Chief of Prevention Larry Williams reported that he conducted 58 fire plan reviews and 187 fire inspections in February.
– The following staff were recognized for their years of service: firefighter Robert Bell for four years; Administrative Assistant Greta Fulkerson for three years; firefighter Michael Tejeda for three years; and Capt. Robert Wilkins for 12 years.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email