Chief Spending Allowance Raised

SEELEY LAKE – At their Feb. 21 meeting, the Seeley Lake Fire District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $4,000 increase in the amount available to the Seeley Lake Fire Chief for equipment purchases. While it was understood that current chief Bob Vanden Heuvel would inform the board about any upcoming equipment purchases and get board approval should time allow, he can spend up to $5,000 without prior board approval if needed.

The discussion was put on the agenda after board members were concerned about Vanden Heuvel going over his $1,000 spending limit without board approval. The circumstances surrounding the chief’s decisions included a 48-hour deadline through a state program to accept the offer for a free 1987 Type III Fire Engine and 2011 Polaris Ranger Crew. The district was required to pay the shipping which was $4,000 for the Type III and $1,850 for the Ranger, exceeding the $1,000 limit in both cases.

Vice Chair Scott Kennedy suggested creating a separate line item in the budget designated for equipment acquisition. He was not comfortable with increasing the discretionary amount the chief could spend from $1,000. He also added that the intent is not to circumvent a meeting or the board but would allow the chief more latitude should a situation arise that was beneficial for the district.

The money for equipment acquisition would be shifted from the Vehicle Procurement Fund line item in the budget that currently has $52,000. The board and the chief agreed that the goal would be to get prior board approval for major purchases. However if it were used, the money would be replaced in the fund by money earned from using the new equipment.

Vanden Heuvel added that he would make every effort to inform the board. However, he wants to have the ability to make that decision for the district and the taxpayer without getting his wrist slapped from the board should he be under a tight deadline.

“For a small department like ours that doesn’t have a big budget, I understand the shipping cost sucks but we are getting equipment that is a great deal,” said Vanden Heuvel.

Kennedy motioned to create the separate line item for $10,000 per fiscal year for equipment acquisition to cover transportation costs.

When Kennedy’s motion was not seconded, he amended it to $5,000. The board unanimously approved the motion.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 21 at 6 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall.