Approved
Castle Valley Fire Protection District
Castle Valley Fire Commission
OCTOBER REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, October 9, 2025 6:00 pm
Electronic Meeting Only Due to Member Illness
Electronic Meeting Determination
Consistent with provisions of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, Utah Code Ann. ยง 54-2-207(4), Mitch Stock, Chairman of the Grand County Service Area for Castle Valley Fire Protection issues this Determination supporting the decision to convene electronic a meeting of the Fire Commission via Conference Call without a physical anchor location. Due to the immobility of a member, meetings at the anchor site may present substantial risk to public health and safety. Taking into consideration public health orders limiting in-person gatherings. This determination expires 30 days after the day on which the Chairman has made the determination. The public can join the Conference Call Meetings or submit comments by contacting Bill Rau at brau30@gmail.com. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83074717331?pwd=FUc90YioaSXyICHo6jp5rPd4d5QfON.1
Attending: Mitch Stock, Bill Rau, Greg Halliday, Ron Drake, Carol Drake
Call to Order of Regular Meeting: 6:01 pm
- Public Comment: none
- Approval of Minutes of September meeting: delayed until Nov.
- Administrative Issues:
- Gourd Festival coverage:
i. Meeting at 8 a.m. on 18th to move engines and clean floor; food will be served. Greg noted that Susan Halliday has made manikins which will be delivered beforehand. Ron will send email to fire department members to help. La Sal Mountain Alliance can put table next to ours and help cover.
- In-person meetings resume in 2026
i. Will have to be held in-person because commission member illnesses is no longer a rationale. We will try to find out if Carol can Zoom in.
- Fund raising
i. Bill willing to continue as grant writer and will prepare information for presentation to county. Also, Bill will prepare preliminary proposal to State Farm and RMP-maybe prepare info for new property buyers; campaign on Firewise Assessments.
- Chief's Report: Ron Drake
- Two fires since last meeting -upper Rim Shadow Lane (electrical) and a camper fire on east Buchannan.
- One EMS call on Miller. Standby on east Shafer for Road Dept equipment
- Fire inspection on B&B
- Fire extinguishers tested
- Purchased a small extinguisher
- Engine 39 won't start; Ron bought a starter for it and needs to be installed. May be a starter switch.
- Fire danger at moderate; rain may allow it to go to Low
- No word from Danny P. on water for lot 13
- Existing water tender was a severe leak
- Treasurer's Report: Bob Russell and Carol Drake
- End of Sept had $360K
- Discussion and possible action re.: 2026 budget
- Budget reflects new sales tax of $3m and our proposed application to receive a portion of the sale tax increase.
- Carol can talk with county Treasurer about other sources of income.--$70K
- If district buys a water tender in 2026, it may involve changes in budget.
- Discussion and possible action re.: update on new water tanker for department
- Discussion about how to finance; how much cash down and how much to finance and for how long are issues to be resolved.
- Latest quote is c. $385K for the kind of engine we need-3000 gals. Build can occur in under a year
- Ron has forms from Community Leasing to see if we qualify
- More info needed around issues of finance.
- Carol argued for $150 maximum down so we still have surplus.
- Discussion and possible action re.: End-of-Year event
- Greg: flashlight from last year was useful; Mitch: solar cellphone charger--company now making emergency radio with solar charging. Jacket, must have name on it. Jacket to go with wildland ppe . Leatherman or Gerber knife tool
- Event on Dec 16 at church
- With dinner with vegetarian options
- Discussion and possible action on long term planning, fire dept. needs, priorities, vision and policies: development of standard operating guidelines, policies and procedures.
- Closed Session (if necessary): personnel matters, awards; recognition program, etc.
- Adjourn: 7: 34 p.m Bill moved, Mitch 2nd all approved.
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Leta Vaughn at 435-259-2364.