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INUTES OF THE UINTAH FIRE SUPPRESSION SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD MEETING HELD MARCH 26, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. in the Vernal City Council room, 374 East Main, Vernal, Utah 84078.
PRESENT: Board members Robin O'Driscoll, Chris Gamble and Robert Hall. Board members Alfred Kettle and Willis LeFevre were excused.
OTHERS PRESENT: Jeremy Raymond, Roxanne Behunin, Sam Howard, Carl Morton, Patrick Perry, Echo Sheffer and Corey Auger.
WELCOME: Robert Hall welcomed everyone to the meeting and excused Willis LeFevre and Alfred Kettle.
APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025: Board member Robin O'Driscoll moved to approve the minutes of February 26, 2025 as presented. Board member Chris Gamble seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor.
APPROVAL OF THE EXPENDITURES FOR FEBRUARY, 2025: Jeremy Raymond presented the expenditures for February 2025 totaling $93,440.97. He detailed various line items including payroll, training and equipment purchases for multiple fire stations, and expenses associated with risk assessment and wildland mitigation efforts. Questions were raised regarding line item categorization and billing processes, and appropriate clarifications were provided. Board member Chris Gamble moved to approve the expenditures for February. Board Member Robin O'Driscoll seconded the motion. The expenditures were approved unanimously.
MONTHLY REPORTS:
Station Reports:
Station activity reports were briefly reviewed, with notable incidents including wildland and structure fires in several jurisdictions and gas leak responses in Vernal. Inspection totals for Uintah County, Naples City, and Vernal City were noted. It was mentioned that individual station reports will be added back into future documentation.
Recruitment and Retention Report:
Jeremy Ramond reported there were no updates from last month.
Financial Report:
Carl Morton provided the financial report, including balance sheets and line-item expense tracking. He noted adjustments to payables procedures and stated that recent audit feedback was positive. The Board acknowledged Mr. Morton's upcoming departure and expressed appreciation for his service. Jeremy Raymond discussed administrative costs and service agreements with Vernal City, noting that no increases had been made in recent years. He suggested reviewing the contract that has $33,250 a year for HR and finance services.
Executive Director Report:
Jeremy Raymond reported on several operational matters, including the near completion of a loan closeout for the Tridell Station and active wildland fire deployments in Kansas and Illinois. He also mentioned staff efforts to stay prepared for increased brush fire activity and transition plans following the absence of the district's administrative assistant.
DISCUSSION & REQUEST APPROVAL OF 2024 AUDITOR CONTRACT: Jeremy Raymond presented the audit report for FY2024. The current auditors were willing to complete the audit at a cost of $9765 for 2024 and have presented a contract for the next three years. Board member Robin O'Driscoll moved to approve the 2024 audit contract with Smuin, Rich and Marsing for $9765. Board member Chirs Gamble seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote
Discussion followed regarding whether to bid future audits or extend the contract for multiple years. Jeremy Raymond acknowledged that the purchasing policy allows the District to choose an auditing firm for legal services without bidding it out.
DISCUSSION & REQUEST APPROVAL OF SALARY SCHEDULE: Jeremy Raymond presented a revised salary schedule to accommodate certification adjustments for seasonal wildland firefighters, particularly those qualified as Engine Bosses. He pointed out that a seasonal wildland firefighter does receive overtime at a rate of $39 an hour giving the District a slight cushion of reimbursement by getting $40 an hour.
REQUEST APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 2025-3
Board member Robin O'Driscoll moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-3 setting the new salary schedule. Board member Chris Gamble seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Director Raymond indicated that a broader review of firefighter compensation would occur during the upcoming budget process.
DISCUSSION & REQUEST APPROVAL OF SEASONAL JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Board also approved an updated seasonal job description that includes Engine Boss responsibilities. Jeremy Raymond informed the Board that Brennan Smith, the selected candidate for the open seasonal firefighter position, is related to a current employee but was the sole applicant and meets eligibility under state hiring rules.
ADJOURN: There being no further business; Board member Chris Gamble moved to adjourn. Board member Robin O'Driscoll seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote and the meeting was declared adjourned.
________________________________
Board Chair Robert Hall
ATTEST:
________________________________
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INUTES OF THE UINTAH FIRE SUPPRESSION SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD MEETING HELD MARCH 26, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. in the Vernal City Council room, 374 East Main, Vernal, Utah 84078.
PRESENT: Board members Robin O'Driscoll, Chris Gamble and Robert Hall. Board members Alfred Kettle and Willis LeFevre were excused.
OTHERS PRESENT: Jeremy Raymond, Roxanne Behunin, Sam Howard, Carl Morton, Patrick Perry, Echo Sheffer and Corey Auger.
WELCOME: Robert Hall welcomed everyone to the meeting and excused Willis LeFevre and Alfred Kettle.
APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025: Board member Robin O'Driscoll moved to approve the minutes of February 26, 2025 as presented. Board member Chris Gamble seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor.
APPROVAL OF THE EXPENDITURES FOR FEBRUARY, 2025: Jeremy Raymond presented the expenditures for February 2025 totaling $93,440.97. He detailed various line items including payroll, training and equipment purchases for multiple fire stations, and expenses associated with risk assessment and wildland mitigation efforts. Questions were raised regarding line item categorization and billing processes, and appropriate clarifications were provided. Board member Chris Gamble moved to approve the expenditures for February. Board Member Robin O'Driscoll seconded the motion. The expenditures were approved unanimously.
MONTHLY REPORTS:
Station Reports:
Station activity reports were briefly reviewed, with notable incidents including wildland and structure fires in several jurisdictions and gas leak responses in Vernal. Inspection totals for Uintah County, Naples City, and Vernal City were noted. It was mentioned that individual station reports will be added back into future documentation.
Recruitment and Retention Report:
Jeremy Ramond reported there were no updates from last month.
Financial Report:
Carl Morton provided the financial report, including balance sheets and line-item expense tracking. He noted adjustments to payables procedures and stated that recent audit feedback was positive. The Board acknowledged Mr. Morton's upcoming departure and expressed appreciation for his service. Jeremy Raymond discussed administrative costs and service agreements with Vernal City, noting that no increases had been made in recent years. He suggested reviewing the contract that has $33,250 a year for HR and finance services.
Executive Director Report:
Jeremy Raymond reported on several operational matters, including the near completion of a loan closeout for the Tridell Station and active wildland fire deployments in Kansas and Illinois. He also mentioned staff efforts to stay prepared for increased brush fire activity and transition plans following the absence of the district's administrative assistant.
DISCUSSION & REQUEST APPROVAL OF 2024 AUDITOR CONTRACT: Jeremy Raymond presented the audit report for FY2024. The current auditors were willing to complete the audit at a cost of $9765 for 2024 and have presented a contract for the next three years. Board member Robin O'Driscoll moved to approve the 2024 audit contract with Smuin, Rich and Marsing for $9765. Board member Chirs Gamble seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote
Discussion followed regarding whether to bid future audits or extend the contract for multiple years. Jeremy Raymond acknowledged that the purchasing policy allows the District to choose an auditing firm for legal services without bidding it out.
DISCUSSION & REQUEST APPROVAL OF SALARY SCHEDULE: Jeremy Raymond presented a revised salary schedule to accommodate certification adjustments for seasonal wildland firefighters, particularly those qualified as Engine Bosses. He pointed out that a seasonal wildland firefighter does receive overtime at a rate of $39 an hour giving the District a slight cushion of reimbursement by getting $40 an hour.
REQUEST APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 2025-3
Board member Robin O'Driscoll moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-3 setting the new salary schedule. Board member Chris Gamble seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Director Raymond indicated that a broader review of firefighter compensation would occur during the upcoming budget process.
DISCUSSION & REQUEST APPROVAL OF SEASONAL JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Board also approved an updated seasonal job description that includes Engine Boss responsibilities. Jeremy Raymond informed the Board that Brennan Smith, the selected candidate for the open seasonal firefighter position, is related to a current employee but was the sole applicant and meets eligibility under state hiring rules.
ADJOURN: There being no further business; Board member Chris Gamble moved to adjourn. Board member Robin O'Driscoll seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote and the meeting was declared adjourned.
________________________________
Board Chair Robert Hall
ATTEST:
________________________________
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations during this meeting should notify Jeremy Raymond, 152 E 100 N, Vernal, Utah 84078: 435-781-6756.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Please direct any questions or comments to: Jeremy Raymond, 152 E 100 N, Vernal, Utah 84078. 435-781-6756