Moving Towards Merger... Slowly

by Michelle Northrup Fireeater
Board members and firefighters from High Country and Colorado Sierra Fire Protection Districts met on Monday, June 30th to discuss the final details of forming a Fire Authority between the two districts. An actual merger between the districts could take a few years - by forming a Fire Authority, the districts can begin working together immediately and determine what the combined district will look like and whether a merger is possible.
Gilpin County is currently covered by each district separately (check your tax bill to see which district you are in). Colorado Sierra covers a "donut hole" in the middle of Gilpin, bringing two stations and 14 volunteers, and High Country serves various residential areas throughout the rest of unincorporated Gilpin with 5 stations and 39 volunteers to the table.
The agenda for Monday's meeting included discussion of naming the new Authority, needed before Authority documents can be signed. Suggestions have been submitted by both High Country and Colorado Sierra firefighters and they will be voting on the new name on July 12th.
"The firefighters need to buy into this process, and having them pick the name is one way to do that," said Ryan Roberts, Chief of Colorado Sierra. Under the new authority, Roberts and Bulich will remain chiefs of their respective departments.
Choosing a single chief for the Authority was discussed but quickly dismissed as redundant - issues between the districts are the responsibility of the Authority - and having the potential to undermine the departments' relationships with firefighters, as they are known best by their own chiefs. This idea was tabled as a possibility at a later time but not currently needed.
Not much will change under the new Authority - the departments will still be managed independently - however the formation of the Authority will allow members from each board to share in decision making and allow the chiefs to coordinate things like training and equipment purchases that would benefit the united department in the future... if there is one.
Also on the agenda was review of the Inter-Governmental Agreement that would cement the new Authority in place, including language regarding disclosure of financial decisions. Concern arose over the possibility of one department making purchases that would incur large debts for the district - a possible "deal-breaker" regarding the merger.
"We have to be able to trust each other," said High Country board member John Rittenhouse, stating that withholding financial information from the authority by either district would be "criminal". It was agreed that though trust was important, and every little concern could not be listed in the governing documents, a piece should be added that would protect either district by demanding disclosure of capitol purchases.
Also in the interest of protecting each district, much time was spent discussing the voting power of the Authority board, which will include 3 members from each districts board of directors. To maintain a balance of power in the Authority, two members from each district must be present to take any vote, and a super-majority of four affirmative votes will be necessary for any measure to pass. While having no vote, the fire chiefs and firefighters will make up a standing committee with the new Authority to ensure their representation and take recommendations. It was noted that since the new Authority has no jurisdiction over personnel or legal issues with either department, no "executive sessions" would be needed and all Fire Authority meetings will be public meetings, just like regular departmental board meetings.
While both districts seem a bit nervous about the changes, everyone was positive about the new Authority. By uniting the districts in this way, dispatching in emergencies will run smoother with better communication between the districts (Colorado Sierra stations will become Stations 6 and 7) and chiefs can coordinate for training sessions and use of equipment. The goal is to build a relationship between the two districts and work toward uniting them in a single, stronger district for the whole county.
Each board voted unanimously to proceed with forming of a new Fire Authority beginning August 1st. Two board meetings will take place to finalize documents and entertain any questions about the process - the public is encouraged to attend and learn more about this change in fire coverage and offer comments.
Colorado Sierra's Board of Directors will meet on July 14th (Station One next to Taggart's) to sign the necessary documents and appoint Board members, and High Country's Board will meet on July 16th to do the same (High Country Station Two, mile 17.5 near the Last Shot on Hwy. 119). Both meetings are at 7pm.
The Fire Authority will have a preliminary meeting on July 30th to iron out any wrinkles remaining before the Authority goes into effect on August 1st. Nothing will change regarding your tax districts under the Authority - this change will simply allow the two separate departments to work together and share resources while planning for a merger is under way.
If you would like more information about the Departments or the new Fire Authority, contact Colorado Sierra at 303-582-5786 or High Country at 303-642-3588.