Bucks for Trucks
January 31st, 2008 by 
Alica
According to members of the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department, their operating budget doesn’t allow them to squirrel away money for big purchases such as fire trucks. They would like more income so they can start a capital improvements fund. Then, when they need to make a big purchase, they have money stored away to help pay for it.
They’d like to get that money by creating a tax district.
At the last council meeting, one of the councilors suggested an alternative to get extra money: become a department of the city.
Ok, that’s two options for increasing the fire department budget. Here are some other ones, in no particular order and with no particular regard for practicality. I’m just brainstorming here, folks.
The department could have more fundraisers.
The department could make friends with someone who is really rich and really generous.
The department could renegotiate their contracts with the city, county and township, effectively raising their rates for services rendered.
The department could continue as a volunteer department but with a city employee fire chief. Several towns already do this, such as Vermillion and Madison.
The department could merge with other nearby departments such as Split Rock or Valley Springs fire departments.
The department could start billing people who they help. The fire department puts out your house fire, you get a bill.
The department could continue with the budget they have now but hold a big fundraising campaign whenever they need money for a special purchase.
Ok, I’m tapped out of ideas at the moment. Do you have any other ideas?
Or would you like to discuss the pros and cons of any of the ideas above?
What options do you think are the most practical? Which would be good long-term solutions? Which would be feasible in a town of 10,000 population? 15,000 population?
Remember, there is an open house at the Fire Hall on Friday evening. You can learn more there. And the topic will be on the City Council’s agenda Monday evening. You can learn more there too.
Posted in Uncategorized | 
January 31st, 2008 at 9:07 am
How about a 5:30 forum instead of 5:00. Most people don’t get of work till 5:00…
January 31st, 2008 at 9:27 am
The doors open at 5:00pm but there is no set time on the forum, its going to be open floor where there will be firemen around to answer any questions that you may have, so no worrys on what time you get there, there will be firemen around till the last question is answered.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:21 am
What kind of FORUM is that? We have to repeat ourselves over and over. And they have to answer the same questions over and over.
The city tried that once with Holly Blvd forum. What a joke.
How about something a little more productive and professional that we can direct questions at one or two panelists? Then everyone gets the exact same information.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:31 am
I think it would be useful for the citizens of Brandon if the BFD would put together a more formal presentation. A written long term plan outlining what funds are needed and why would be great. I think people would be more willing to step and help fund the BFD if they actually felt there was a legitimate long term plan in place. Right now I believe people are a bit confused as to what the plan is.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:54 am
Think of Friday night’s thing as an open house where you can meet the firefighters and get a feel for the building, and see the equipment.
That way, when the actual forums come later, you will be familiar with everything that is discussed.
After talking to members of the fire department, I get the impression that the tax district plan is still in its infancy, even though the department has been discussing it for some time.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:21 am
I hope that this is not the only night that they plan on having a meeting to inform the public. Friday nights are terrible. Why not have it during the week. I bet there wont be a very good turn out due to the day and time of this event.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Yes, the department plans to have more formal meetings, but they are not scheduled yet. From what I understand, they wanted to have this open house before Monday night’s council meeting.
Monday night, they plan to ask the city council if they will waive the petition requirement. If the council does waive it, I’m not sure what the next step will be. If the council does not waive it, the department will need to get the required signatures to bring the issue to a vote. I am not sure how many signatures they would need. Several hundred, for sure.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I know that when we sign a petition it only allows it to come to a vote. It also is informative and some understand better what they are voting on. I would hope our city council would not allow then to waive that part.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:41 am
I’m trying to figure out why they think they need $400,000 dollars a year.
The other “district” in the minnehaha news lately is the voted down ambulance district. (Brandon was not involved in this, they said no, presumably because Medstar was waiting in the wings) In that issue 3 volunteer ambulance services stated they needed $360,000 to operate, including some paid staff. So why in the world would 1 fire department need more than 3 volunteer ambulance services???? And don’t tell me because the trucks are bigger, because ambulances stocked with medical equipment are hugely expensive.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:19 am
#9..
Its not always about the trucks! Its whats inside those trucks that cost the $$$$$.
Bunker Gear: $2,000/person
SCBA: $12,000/per unit
Radios: $3,000/person
Nozzle: $500.00 and up
Hose: $250.00 and up for 50ft
Camera: $10,000
Wrenches/axes/spanner tools: $1000’s
So for ONE firemen to enter your burning house it cost: Almost $18,000-$20,000
And to enter a burning building it takes 3 firmen to do. So there is ALOT more cost in Fire protection then EMS stock in a Rig.
Also, speaking of EMS, Brandon also has to stock their rescue rig with EMT supplies.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:31 am
Sorry, but you shouldn’t be able to run THREE ambulance services for the cost of ONE fire department. Fire departments get A LOT more grant money than EMS. You can’t claim BVFD actually paid for all that equipment without a grant and if they did, that’s their fault for not applying for grants. Is the FD willing to open their books so people can scrutinize and justify this tax request? I won’t vote for it unless I can see they’ve spent their money wisely in the past.
You say it costs 20,000 to enter my burning house, are you kidding me? Is the equipment disposable? You throw it away after one fire?
Sadly, you guys don’t need as many EMT supplies anymore with Medstar in town. They’ll be first on scene.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:39 am
YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY FIRE DEPT IN THE UNITED STATES APPLIES FOR THE SAME AFG GRANTS. YOU ARE NOT GAURANTEED MONEY JUST BECAUSE YOU APPLY! It is a loooooong shot to get approved for the grant, and if you do get approved you still have to pay 20% of the cost. You get one shot at it per year.
I dont think the FD is out blowing money on stuff that is not needed, I am sure they would be happy to explain where all their money is used for.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:09 am
No need to yell. Why so defensive? It is not a loosing shot to get approved for a grant.
Here’s the list taken from AFG Grants (FEMA website) This is just 2007! Please find out when the last year Brandon applied for this specific grant.
Organization City ST Program Federal Share Activity Level Award Date
Avon Community Fire Department Avon SD Operations and Safety $9,500.00 Equipment ($10,000) 12/14/07
Bradley Volunteer Fire Department Bradley SD Vehicle Acquisition $48,925.00 Vehicle Acquisition ($51,500) 08/03/07
City of Pierre Fire Department Pierre SD Operations and Safety $95,475.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($100,500) 07/27/07
Claire City Volunteer Fire Department Claire City SD Operations and Safety $36,480.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($38,400) 08/17/07
Colman Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department Colman SD Operations and Safety $47,652.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($50,160) 12/28/07
Crooks Fire and Rescue Crooks SD Vehicle Acquisition $121,905.00 Vehicle Acquisition ($128,321) 01/18/08
Custer Ambulance Service Custer SD Operations and Safety $61,170.00 EMS Equipment ($52,400)
EMS Training ($11,990) 11/30/07
Dante Volunteer Fire Department Dante SD Operations and Safety $32,775.00 Equipment ($4,500)
Personal Protective Equipment ($30,000) 09/07/07
Ethan Community Fire Protection Association Ethan SD Operations and Safety $31,430.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($33,084) 10/05/07
Gettysburg Fire Department Gettysburg SD Vehicle Acquisition $77,924.00 Vehicle Acquisition ($81,700) 12/14/07
Hermosa Volunteer Fire Department Hermosa SD Operations and Safety $18,719.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($19,704) 08/10/07
Howard Volunteer Fire Department Howard SD Operations and Safety $34,533.00 Equipment ($36,350) 12/21/07
Hurley Fire Department Hurley SD Vehicle Acquisition $164,350.00 Vehicle Acquisition ($173,000) 08/17/07
Ipswich Volunteer Fire Department Ipswich SD Operations and Safety $24,652.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($25,949) 02/01/08
Lake Preston Volunteer Fire Department Lake Preston SD Operations and Safety $42,275.00 Equipment ($43,500)
Training ($1,000) 11/23/07
Lesterville Rural Fire Protection District Lesterville SD Operations and Safety $55,513.00 Equipment ($22,615)
Personal Protective Equipment ($35,820) 09/21/07
midland area emergency medical services midland SD Vehicle Acquisition $93,100.00 Vehicle Acquisition ($98,000) 08/03/07
Miller Fire Department Miller SD Operations and Safety $24,272.00 Equipment ($12,000)
Personal Protective Equipment ($13,550) 01/18/08
New Effington Volunteer Fire Department New Effington SD Operations and Safety $23,262.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($24,486) 11/09/07
Nisland Volunteer Fire Department Nisland SD Operations and Safety $85,500.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($90,000) 08/17/07
North Haines VFD Inc. Rapid City SD Vehicle Acquisition $179,075.00 Vehicle Acquisition ($188,500) 07/27/07
North Haines VFD Inc. Rapid City SD Operations and Safety $99,573.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($104,814) 08/24/07
Northville Vol. Fire Dept. Northville SD Operations and Safety $36,214.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($38,120) 08/24/07
Orient Volunteer Fire Department Orient SD Operations and Safety $5,149.00 Equipment ($5,270) 02/01/08
Platte Volunteer Fire Department Platte SD Operations and Safety $23,750.00 Equipment ($25,000) 07/27/07
Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department Rapid City SD Operations and Safety $38,329.00 Equipment ($40,346) 08/03/07
Seneca Volunteer Fire Department Seneca SD Vehicle Acquisition $124,731.00 Vehicle Acquisition ($129,470) 09/07/07
Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department Sturgis SD Operations and Safety $71,773.00 Equipment ($25,000)
Personal Protective Equipment ($50,550) 07/27/07
Sunset Fire Department Britton SD Operations and Safety $9,297.00 Training ($9,786) 01/25/08
Wagner Volunteer Fire Department Wagner SD Operations and Safety $26,505.00 Equipment ($27,900) 11/09/07
Wall Volunteer Fire Dept. Wall SD Operations and Safety $37,050.00 Equipment ($39,000) 12/21/07
Wasta VFD Wasta SD Operations and Safety $76,570.00 Personal Protective Equipment ($80,600) 01/04/08
Webster Volunteer Fire Department Webster SD Vehicle Acquisition $224,561.00 Vehicle Acquisition ($218,500) 01/04/08
Webster Volunteer Fire Department Webster SD Operations and Safety $128,321.00 Equipment ($69,035); Personal Protective Equipment ($44,500); Training ($21,540) 08/17/07
Whispering Pines VFD - Rural Fire Protection Distr Rapid City SD Operations and Safety $21,189.00 Equipment ($12,800); Personal Protective Equipment ($8,105) 08/17/07
Yankton Fire
February 1st, 2008 at 9:12 am
I will ask tonight when that was, but I would think that they would apply every year
February 1st, 2008 at 9:24 am
Bradley, Crooks, Custer, Hermosa, Lake Preston, Midland, Miller, all got grants in BOTH 2006 and 2007. (I didn’t look back any further)
Valley Springs got 174,478.00 in 2006! AND in 2003 Valley Springs got $147,123.00!
Why isn’t Brandon on this list????
February 1st, 2008 at 9:33 am
Sounds like to me they need someone better writing their grants!!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:56 am
Sounds to me like they’ve not done the work and now want it handed to them.
If Valley Springs can do the paperwork and get A THIRD OF A MILLION DOLLARS in 3 years, certainly Brandon can. Who dropped the ball?
They couldv’e had a new truck by now.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:31 am
Can’t argue with that. I wonder how long before we have a letter from Fred at our doorsteps, on how we should support this
February 1st, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I heard from a fireman last summer that they got a homeland security grant for all new bunker gear. What happened to that gear?
February 1st, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I started surfing the internet looking for info on the fire tax levy and I found an article in the Black Hills Pioneer from 1/11/2008. It seems their fire dept is also trying to establish a tax district (why such a popular option?) to get away from the City. The article answered some of the questions I had. The article can be found at: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1300&dept_id=156925&newsid=19191632&PAG=461&rfi=9
February 1st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I would like to thank the Brandon Fire Dept for the Open house tonight, I left feeling more informed about the issue and I now fully understand what your needs are and why you are looking into a tax district. For anyone that did not attend tonight, please attend the next one they hold. Thanks again Chief Lacey and all the members that were present tonight. It was well worth my time
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:57 am
Anonymous, we were able to attend the open house last night and as Brandon Resident said we left feeling more informed. In talking with the members they were open and candid with us and aware of the the issues on both sides. Hopefully you were able to attend and ask your questions.
If your were unable to attend please go to the next meeting and discuss your concerns with them. Combined with the article link provided by confused and information last night they do care and it not about having big new toys as others on this blog have claimed. Thank you Brandon Fire Dept for your service and openness on this tough issue.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Not sure if we can compare to the above article on Lead SD. They are already under the city, ours really isn’t. Would ours be run like the following quote with elected officials? Would the budget be certified?? I would think we should make sure it is, otherwise how would we know where the money is going??
“If approved by the voters, the tax district would take the fire department out of city control and funding responsibility. The Fire Tax District would be managed by a board of five elected officials - three from the city and two from the outlying areas as dictated by state law - and the budget would be certified by the county just like the city’s budget. ”
According to the following from the article….They want 180,000/year, Brandon wants $400,000. They are getting a building, engine and 2 firetrucks for 180,000? Do we need $400,000 dollars worth???
“If approved, the .8 mill levy would yield approximately $180,000 per year for the district. A preliminary budget for this includes a mortgage payment on a new fire hall, payments on a Class A engine with four wheel drive and two new fire trucks.”
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
#23. Did you attend the open house? Because all of your questions with this 400,000 would have been answered and it makes ALOT of sense on what it would be spent on. They provided handouts that included a breakdown of the new $405,000 budget, every penny of that was accounted for!
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
It would be great if they would put that information on this blog. It would be shared with a lot of people who otherwise might not attend a meeting! Any and all ways to spread accurate info is wonderful!
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
405,000 for ONE year is one thing, 405,000 EVERY year is another thing entirely. No way.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 am
hey ANONYMOUS, the ? was did you go to the open house ?
i would have to say no since you are still spouting, maybe you should have taken the time to go so you could hear it first hand
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
If I was at the meeting I wouldn’t say so, because there was only about 10-12 people there the whole time. I’ll wait for the public forums, they are more informational and everyone hears the same answers.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Alica, can you find out for us how much the city’s current contribution to the BVFD costs the taxpayers per $100,000 in property valuation. If we go with a tax district, I would expect the city to take the amount we currently pay off the top. Thanks.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I just talked with Dennis Olson, city administrator. He said the portion of your property taxes that go specifically toward the $54,000 the city pays the fire department would be so miniscule you wouldn’t notice it.
Remember, the fire department also receives money each year from the county ($50,000) and Brandon Township ($16,000). If a fire district is created, the county and township would not have to spend that money either.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
On another thread, someone asked about any grants for which the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department has applied. I said I would answer that question here, since it is a newer thread on the topic.
I don’t have a list of applied-for grants, but several fire department members have told me that the department applies for grants on a regular basis. They just don’t always get them, and department members stressed that the department can’t rely on grants.
The department recently formed a committee whose job it is to research grants and apply for them. So now their efforts can be more concentrated than in the past.
The last grant the department got was for $150,000 in 2005. That grant was specifically for equipment. Most grants specify what they can be used for.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Obviously they haven’t applied for the FEMA grants because they aren’t on the list. (That’s the one Valley Springs has gotten twice recently)
February 4th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Isn’t the list of FEMA grants just recipients and not applicants?
February 5th, 2008 at 6:17 am
#32…Why are you so against the FD, if you are this concerned about the issue, you should have been at the open house. Because right now you are looking like you dont know much about this issue, everything you are bringing up was ANSWERED at the open house. Brandon did apply every year for FEMA grants, just becuase you apply does not mean you will get a grant, that is why the FD is saying grants are not guaranteed income.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Brandon Resident,
I can claim number #32, but not sure what you mean by “everything you are bringing up” (anyone can post under anonymous)
And I am not against the FD in any way shape or form. In fact I’ve supported the FD with their fundraisers. What I am against is handing over my hard earned money without questioning where it’s going and where is has been going in the past. We as citizens have the right to know that especially since it’s a not for profit entity.
Can you tell me why Brandon applied for the FEMA grants and seem to be the only SD volunteer department not to get money? (some multiple times) Is the paperwork submitted completely and on time? Those are just 2 questions that the FD needs to be able to tell people if they expect them to support a 405,000 tax hit.
It has been said there will be public forum in addition to an open house, so there’s plenty of time.
I’m also wondering why the FD wants a free pass when it comes to obtaining signatures? The chief said “I think you can see the difficulty we’d have in (gathering signatures),” Why is that hard? If I remember correctly, only 2 people got the required number of about 400 for the ambulance recall, so 800 for 30 firemen should be easy.
February 5th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
To #13 and others: As I understand it, the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department would have to get 820 signatures from Brandon registered voters who own land, plus 275 signatures from Brandon Township registered voters, whether they own land or not, for a total of 1,095 signatures.
I suppose the tricky part is making sure the signatures they get in the city are from landowners. And it will be time-consuming for the auditor’s office to check each signature against the tax rolls to make sure they all own land. That’s why cities usually waive the petition process, Minnehaha County auditor Sue Roust told me.
She said she was surprised to see that the landowner clause is still on the law books. That might be something the state Legislature can bring up to date next year.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:32 am
always listening Says:
November 1st, 2007 at 11:13 am
Need to really think people, we are going to get hit with tax increases from the city, the wish list would be something like new city hall, more increases for police. One thing that is coming is a fire district, full time firemen!~!!!!!!!!!!!!
City surveyor Says:
November 1st, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Always Listening - Brandon is not going to be part of the fire district - they declined well over a year ago, so no new tax there. In a growing community, there are always going to be new needs - that’s just how it is. Gas, groceries, taxes, clothing, housing - the cost for all continue to rise. But we must remember, as we add an average of 100 new homes each year in Brandon, these new homeowners will also help to foot the bill for our city needs. Yes, this is America, but it’s not free to live here.
City serveyor where did you get your info in November, Didn’t take them long to get it going.
February 6th, 2008 at 9:10 am
always,
can you point me to the thread of Nov. 1st 2007?
February 6th, 2008 at 9:59 am
october 2007, under the 23 million blog