Norwood fire chief asks county to consider PILT funds for AI smoke‑detection cameras

Norwood Fire Protection District Chief John Bachroth asked the San Miguel County Board of County Commissioners on April 30 to consider using part of the county’s annual Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) allocation to help pay operating costs for a network of AI‑enabled, 360‑degree smoke‑detection cameras.

Why it matters: the cameras provide automated smoke detection and real‑time imagery to local fire departments and cooperating federal agencies. Chief Bachroth said the system has, in one instance, reduced response time and allowed crews and mutual‑aid partners to size up a wildfire faster, potentially limiting escalation of an incident.

Request and cost: Bachroth described three cameras currently in service and discussed plans for additional cameras financed partly through other partners. He said each camera costs about $40,000 per year to operate; the three cameras he cited would be $120,000 annually. Bachroth requested that commissioners consider a county contribution, noting the county’s PILT distribution last year exceeded $1.4 million and that the cameras would serve public‑land fire detection and cross‑jurisdictional response.

Commissioners’ response and next steps: commissioners expressed sympathy for the district’s needs but repeatedly cautioned that funding commitments to special districts set precedents. Several commissioners favored addressing the request within the county’s normal budget cycle; one suggested revisiting PILT allocations when the board prepares next year’s budget beginning in August. Commissioners also encouraged the fire district and other stakeholders to present detailed cost estimates and to participate in the August budget discussions.

Context and partners: Bachroth said Telluride Fire Protection District and other agencies share camera access and that partners such as Xcel Energy are also installing cameras in the area. Commissioners noted the district’s recent mill‑levy increase and said they would expect Norwood and other districts to continue using their own tax revenues and grant opportunities. Several commissioners asked county staff to consider PILT policies and whether some PILT funds might be allocated to fire districts outside the typical county budget process.

Ending: no funding was authorized at the meeting. Commissioners asked the fire district to provide budget details and requested staff to evaluate PILT policy and bring the issue back during the county’s budget cycle.