Officials discuss fire agreement
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY Seated at the table at the Sagle Fire District special meeting, from left to right: Esther Gilchrist, Jennifer Stapleton, Shelby Rognstad, RuthAnn Zigler , Ron Stocking and Glen Charbonneau.
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY A firefighter chats with visitors at the Sagle Fire Station before Tuesday morning’s special meeting.
SAGLE — It was standing room only Tuesday at a special meeting of the Sagle Fire Commission in the station on Gun Club Road. The air was charged with anticipation as officials representing both Sagle and Sandpoint took their seats at the conference table.
"I would like to make a motion for the mutual termination of the joint powers agreement between the Sagle Fire District and the city of Sandpoint," said Commissioner Dennis Englehardt, who attended the meeting by phone.
No one said a word, but blank expressions and dropping jaws indicated collective shock at Englehardt's opening sally.
"Does anyone want to second the motion?" asked commission chairman Steve Fels.
Nobody did. With the exception of the caller, those in attendance had come together to iron out problems with the JPA rather than dissolve it, as further discussion confirmed.
Decision makers seated at the conference table included Sagle Fire District commissioners, Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS Chief Ron Stocking and RuthAnn Ziegler, Stocking's executive assistant, Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad, Jennifer Stapleton, city administrator, and Scot Campbell, city attorney.
Community members sat in folding chairs along the outskirts of the room and stood against the walls. Many signed up to offer public comment as the clipboard made the rounds.
"To make this clear on the front end, we did not call this meeting from the city’s standpoint with the intent of withdrawing from the JPA. We will be presenting our budget (for the JPA) to the city council by the end of this week." said Stapleton. "Last year it was substantiated by both of our boards that there were cost savings in the JPA. We still see the advantages of the JPA in terms of our ability to respond throughout the region. Westside Fire District has also expressed a willingness to enter the JPA."
She added that Sandpoint has saved approximately $70,000 while Sagle has saved around $45,000 since merging services.
However, while each city handles its financial obligations separately, with Sagle and Sandpoint each paying their share, Englehardt expressed skepticism regarding Stapleton's numbers.
"I would doubt that ... the cost savings as stated were twice as much for the city of Sandpoint as for Sagle," he said. "Further, I will note that there are real concerns that Sagle is becoming less transparent with its participation in the JPA."
Englehardt also raised procedural and legal questions.
“The board has not met for 15 months. It has not submitted an annual report. It did not convene to elect new officers," he said. "Also, there is a chance that the current JPA is not valid. Substituting the name 'Selkirk Fire Rescue and EMS' for Sagle Fire Department may not be (legally) valid.”
"If you want to make this a bully pulpit, that's fine, but I'm going to cut you off right now," said Fels, indicating that Englehardt's concerns had already been discussed and dismissed by the board.
"I'd like to say very strongly that the only thing that can come out of this joint action is good," said Commissioner Esther Gilchrist.
"There's been nothing but benefit (from the JPA)," said Fels.
The majority of people agreed with this assessment in the public comments which followed.
"I'm a retired firefighter," said Jay Dudley. "I think the JPA is great for the Sagle Fire District ... I'll pay whatever it takes to get good fire service down here."
"Every single person I have talked with totally supports the JPA," said Diana Dawson. "We're on a good path now. Let's keep looking forward in a positive manner."
Glen Cassidy of Selkirk Fire and Rescue said, "As firefighters, we all train together, and our training and service have improved. We're trying to create a better fire department for all of you."
Commissioner Ken Charbonneau advised moving forward cautiously. "We don't want to spend more than the savings we incur under the JPA. If we don't watch it, we're going to have a bigger concern a year from now."
Vern Spencer and Joan Spencer expressed dismay over a lack of transparency on the part of the Sagle Fire District when it comes to the JPA. In general, however, those assembled were ready to move ahead with the agreement.
“There’s a majority consensus to continue with the JPA. I think we can iron out the legal issues," said Fels.
"Certainly the JPA’s been a huge benefit for Sandpoint, and it’s good to hear that you are also benefiting here in Sagle," said Rognstad. "It's only natural there are going to be some wrinkles, as it were, but we will get better. Certainly activating the JPA board will give us a powerful tool."