Drexel Heights board publishes tentative FY2021 budget, schedules June hearing; calls November election

The Drexel Heights Fire District Governing Board on May 22 approved publishing a tentative budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, and scheduled a public hearing for June 26, 2020, as part of required actions under state law. The board also adopted Resolution 2020‑06 calling the November 3, 2020 election to fill three governing board seats and authorized a Subscriber Services Agreement for dispatch services with Helmet Peak Volunteer Fire Department.

Board Chair Gary Bynum led the telephonic meeting, which established a quorum with Gary Bynum, James Bertrand, Laura Dailey and Charles Mendonca present. The board opened by approving the April 24, 2020 meeting minutes (motion by Laura Dailey, second by James Bertrand). James Bertrand then moved, and Charles Mendonca seconded, approval of the checks issued listing dated April 30, 2020 and the monthly financial report for the period ending April 30, 2020; the motion passed 4‑0.

Chief Douglas Chappell introduced the proposed FY2021 budget and said the document was "essentially done" pending minor adjustments. Chappell told the board that several costs are now firm, including workers' compensation and property/casualty insurance, and that software-support costs are expected to change as the department transitions to RapidDeploy and ImageTrend systems. Chair Bynum asked whether the COVID‑19 crisis had affected tax revenue; Chappell said no issues had been noted to date.

Following discussion, the board voted to publish the tentative budget and set the required public hearing for June 26, 2020 (motion by Gary Bynum; second by Laura Dailey). Chappell reminded members that Arizona Revised Statutes require publication of a tentative budget at least 20 days prior to a public hearing.

On governance, Chappell explained that A.R.S. §48‑802 requires an election to fill three vacancies on the Governing Board and that the Pima County Board of Supervisors must be notified by a formal resolution. The board adopted Resolution 2020‑06 to call the Nov. 3, 2020 election to fill the seats currently held by James Bertrand, Charles Mendonca and Charles Zang (motion by Gary Bynum; second by James Bertrand). The minutes record each motion passing unanimously, 4‑0.

The board also authorized execution of a Subscriber Services Agreement for dispatch services with Helmet Peak Volunteer Fire Department on behalf of the Valley Emergency Communications Center (motion by James Bertrand; second by Gary Bynum). Chappell said this was the first of several planned subscriber agreements for VECC services.

The board noted that Charles Zang joined the meeting later (recorded arrival at 9:23 a.m.) and adjourned at 9:26 a.m. by motion of Chair Bynum, seconded by James Bertrand.

Votes at a glance - Approval of April 24, 2020 minutes: motion by Laura Dailey; second James Bertrand; outcome: approved (4‑0). - Checks issued listing & monthly financial report (period ending April 30, 2020): mover James Bertrand; second Charles Mendonca; outcome: approved (4‑0). - Publish tentative FY2021 budget & schedule June 26 public hearing: mover Gary Bynum; second Laura Dailey; outcome: approved (4‑0). - Adopt Resolution 2020‑06 calling Nov. 3, 2020 election: mover Gary Bynum; second James Bertrand; outcome: approved (4‑0). - Authorize Subscriber Services Agreement with Helmet Peak VFD (VECC): mover James Bertrand; second Gary Bynum; outcome: approved (4‑0).

What comes next The board will publish the tentative budget in accordance with state statute and take public comment at the June 26, 2020 hearing. The district will forward Resolution 2020‑06 to the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the Pima County Elections Department as required by statute.