NWSSD April 14, 2026 Regular Board Meeting Draft Minutes
Notice Type(s)
Notice,
Meeting
Event Start Date & Time
April 14, 2026 06:30 PM
Event End Date & Time
April 14, 2026 07:41 PM
Description/Agenda
DRAFT MINUTES OF REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
Northwestern Special Service District
April 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Gunlock Community Center / Fire Department Complex - 423 N Main St , UT 84733
Board Members Present:
Mike Johnson - Veyo
Mark Cain - Central
Slade Hughes - Veyo
John Leavitt - Veyo
Rosemary D'Amato - Via Phone
Paula Guthrie, Board Clerk
Fire Chief's Present:
District Chief Guthrie
Central Chief Flores
Veyo Chief Larsen
One member of the public was in attendance - Mr. Gordon Poppitt, Central
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation from staff.
The minutes from the March 10, 2026 board meeting were discussed. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded, and passed unanimously, 5-0.
Financial Report and Credit Card Processing Fees were discussed.
- Current cash assets: approximately $311,360.
- 2026 Standby Fee billing: Approximately $210,000.
- Payments received to date: Approximately $81k in checks and $20K in credit cards
Monthly credit card service fees from Fifth Third Bank will be verified as meeting contractual parameters.
The required 2025 NWSSD State financial audit has commenced. Director Cain will track the audit and provide the final results to the board members for approval upon conclusion.
The bill payment lockbox has been installed at the Gunlock Fire Station and is already receiving 2026 Standby Fee payments.
Our Certificate of Appreciation ensemble was presented to the St. George Dixie Elks Lodge 1743 at their last assembly. An additional directed donation of $1,000 was given to for Central Fire Department for the Autopulse® CPR device bring the total donation to almost $25,000!
An MOU between Veyo Culinary Water Association (VCWA) and NWSSD on behalf of Veyo Fire Department to waive each other's fees will be presented to VCWA for approval at their next board meeting.
A team of Doctorate researchers interviewed several District and community members as part of the University of Utah Wildland Fire Community Mitigation Study. Findings will inform of state grant needs. The research results will be provided to participants, upon conclusion.
NWSSD's District Chief has tried for more than 18 months to receive permission for our Gunlock Fire Department Advanced EMT's to practice on-scene emergency care. Discussions with the State licensee for emergency medical transportation in our Gunlock Fire Department service area (Santa Clara-Ivins Fire & Rescue), the WASHCO Commissioners, and the Utah State Bureau of Emergency Services (BEMS) were unsuccessful.
The Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Chief, who's agency holds the current medical transport license for our Gunlock service area, has declined to sign off on any direct, or mutual aid agreements, to allow our Quick Response Unit and qualified licensed personnel to provide lifesaving interventions during the 20+ minute on-scene arrival time of their ambulance.
The Board strongly feels that this lack of cooperation will lead to tragic consequences for the residents and visitors of the greater Gunlock area.
Enterprise Fire Department, the transport licensee for the majority of the District's service area, has graciously offered Santa Clara-Ivins a mutual-aid agreement to allow Gunlock Fire Department personnel to practice under their medical director, thus absolving Santa Clara-Ivins of legal responsibility. Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Chief rejected the offer.
Therefore, the board passed a unanimous decision to discuss this urgent issue directly with the two cities management teams. A letter was signed and will be emailed to both cities immediately.
The Utah State Auditor is conducting annual training on April 24th in St. George. Topics will include the budget process, preparation of the annual financial report and self-evaluation, fraud risk assessments, impact fee reporting, and reporting to Transparent Utah. Treasurer D'Amato and Financial Clerk Cain will be attending.
Station Chief's Reports:
Chief Flores - Central Fire Department ¬- Returned 2 days ago from wildland fire deployment in Texas. Reports 10 medical and 2 fire calls in March, including one vehicular accident. The annual Mountain Man Rendezvous (SR-18 mm 25) is scheduled in Central April 23-26. Fire suppression equipment will be on site and county fire restrictions are in effect.
Chief Larsen -Veyo Fire Department - Tender 161 is complete with emergency lights, siren, radio, and badging. We are awaiting the equipment to install a remote-controlled monitor (water canon).
District Chief's Report - Chief Guthrie; Four of our six new EMT's have already passed their National exams. Testing is conducted at an exam center in downtown St. George with strict procedures to prevent cheating. New EMT and firefighter OSHA-compliant high visibility vests were displayed. They contain a glucometer, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, thermometer, tourniquets; vests to identify 'Northwest Fire & Rescue' and display their certification badges.
We received a proposal for installation of a new Generac 22KW generator at the Veyo Fire Station. Director Cain verified that Costco, who sells the same generator at a discount, has no contractors in the area that can do the install.
The County Library team visited the VFD to identify a location for a 'library box'; may need minor electrical work; target completion by end of May.
The Pack test is scheduled for this Saturday at 8:00 AM at Diamond Valley School.
The CFD AutoPulse® has been ordered (PO in place); New wildland water-saving fire nozzles ordered (PO in place).
Enterprise Chief Moody has a driver for a tender seeking deployment; explore arrangements with Enterprise FD to generate revenue; timing discussed.
Wildland MOU Inspections: Inspections are now a local responsibility to complete inspection sheets for rigs, assemble packet with prior inspection records, and submit; include Gunlock Rescue and Central Rescue in MOU; Gunlock Rescue was used at Forsyth as command vehicle but not reimbursed.
Veyo Fire Department has approximately 60 goats working in blackberry & weed areas; effective fire mitigation.
The District is providing fire standby support for a TV production at Homestead Ranch April 21-26
The leadership of the LDS Church has requested volunteer medical standby care at their Stake Pioneer Trek Event in Evanston, WY, July 8-11, 2026; A District board member and two District Fire Chiefs will be attending the event. Permission was granted on a 5-0 vote to allow the use of the Gunlock QRU ensemble (UTV, trailer, rescue vehicle). Any supplies used will be reimbursed; Director Cain, Communications Officer, will have our FirstNet® repeater component ready for use as well.
Directors / Staff Comments:
District Clerk Paula Guthrie: No comments
PIO Slade Hughes - Veyo: No comments
Director Leavitt - Veyo: No comments
Treasurer Rosemary D'Amato - Central: Appreciation expressed to volunteer firefighters, chiefs, and administrative staff.
Vice Chair Mark Cain - Central: No additional comments
Chairman Mike Johnson - Veyo: 'info@nwssd.utah.gov' email needs an owner; Director Cain volunteered to monitor and manage; Webmaster to correct invalid phone numbers and confirm payment email processes on online payment site.
Final Public Comments:
Flag Retirement Ceremony: The community desires to schedule a community flag retirement ceremony; prior attempt was postponed due to wildfire; Chief Flores coordinate with Central Bishop and veterans' representative; they use a metal bin with cover; Plan to publicize and invite community to bring flags; current inventory includes at least a dozen worn flags.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 PM
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
The NWSSD makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled members of the public to access meetings. Please call Chairman Johnson (435) 619-4495 or Chief Guthrie (435) 680-0401 if you have any special needs.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
NA
Other Information
District Website URL Address: www.nwssd.utah.gov
2026 Standby Fee invoices may now be paid by credit card. Simply access our home page at www.nwssd.utah.gov and click on the payment link.
Fire Department Meeting Addresses:
Gunlock Fire Department / Community Center Complex is located at 423 N. Main St, Gunlock - The meetings are held in the Community Center on the West side of the Fire Department parking lot.
Veyo Fire Department meets in the first floor assembly room at 95 E. Center St, Veyo
Brookside Fire Department is located at 436 E. Wells Fargo Rd, Brookside
Central Fire Department is located at 155 E. Center St (AKA: Pine Valley Hwy), Central