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Drexel Heights board adopts $18.8 million FY2021 budget, clears $3.3M GMP to start Station 401 construction
Summary
Drexel Heights Fire District kept its primary tax rate unchanged as the board adopted an $18.8 million FY2021 budget and authorized a Guaranteed Maximum Price of up to $3.3 million with CORE Construction to begin construction of Fire Station 401; the board also approved purchasing a new station alerting system.
Drexel Heights Fire District on Friday adopted a final budget for the 2021 fiscal year that keeps the General Fund property tax rate at $3.25 per $100 of assessed value and anticipates $18,800,150 in total revenues.
Chief Douglas Chappell told the board the proposed budget, which the board reviewed at several prior meetings, was designed to maintain essential services during a period of slow regional growth and provides for a modest salary increase for employees. "This Public Hearing is being conducted as required by Statute," Chappell said while describing that the notice and proposed budget were posted at stations and online more than 20 days in advance. The board opened and closed the statutorily required public hearing with no public comments and approved the budget by roll call (5-0).
The adopted budget includes a General Fund with $11,419,470 in revenues and $11,419,427 in expenditures, a Valley Emergency Communications Center allocation, a Debt Service Fund with a $0.38 tax rate to cover bond payments, and capital funds that recognize construction costs for Fire Station 401. The total expenditures recorded in the resolution were $17,282,015.
Alongside the budget vote, the board authorized CORE Construction Amendment No. 2 — the Guaranteed Maximum Price for Fire Station 401 — in a move Chief Chappell said would allow demolition and construction to begin. The board authorized execution of Exhibit B (GMP Amendment No. 2) in an amount not to exceed $3,300,000.00; the motion (moved by James Bertrand, seconded by Gary Bynum) passed unanimously (5-0). Chappell said CORE and subcontractors can begin on-site work after the GMP is executed.
The board also authorized purchase and installation of a US Digital Designs G2 station alerting system, funded from the 2017 bond election, which Chappell said is consistent with equipment used regionally. "This replacement is a scheduled project with funds from the 2017 bond election," he said. The motion to authorize the Fire Chief to sign contracts and issue a purchase order passed 5-0.
The board approved the budget, GMP and related capital spending during its regularly scheduled telephonic meeting. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 24, 2020 at the Prince Administration Center.
