GOLDEN GATE CANYON — The Golden Gate Canyon Fire Protection District Board approved a mill levy increase during a regular meeting on July 23, 2026, at 7 p.m. at The Grange and online.

Board members present were Deb Curlee, president; Marith Reheis, vice president; and Karla Grahn, secretary. Mike Sever and Dave Primmer were excused.

The Board discussed increasing the mill levy by 4 or 4.5 mills. According to the proposed resolution, “The Board of Directors has completed an extensive review of the District's current financial condition, long-term capital needs, apparatus replacement schedule and projected emergency service demands.

“The Board has reviewed the District's Fleet Revitalization and Capital Funding White Paper, apparatus replacement projections, financial modeling and potential funding alternatives. The Board finds that several frontline emergency response vehicles have exceeded recommended service life ….

“The Board evaluated multiple funding alternatives… and has determined that a dedicated capital mill levy provides the most fiscally responsible long-term funding mechanism while minimizing future borrowing costs and preserving financial flexibility.

“The Board desires to refer a ballot question to the eligible electors of the District…seeking authorization for an additional 4.5 mill property tax levy dedicated exclusively to apparatus replacement, capital improvements, and other voter-approved capital purposes.”

Chief Kyle Benson said they have had many discussions and have a strong positive from the community. The main issue is a new firetruck. The cost of fire apparatus has increased enormously, way beyond Golden Gate.

Benson said “I think this is the way we do this to remain solvent. We have been working with legal counsel, specifically for funding of apparatus, and it will go into a different fund…and this will add 4 mills…. A mill is based on the assessed value of your home.”

He added, “The way this will look when the district certifies the mill levy, it will have two lines, one for general and one for apparatus. The 4.5 instead of 4 increases the frequency we can replace a truck. Lot of trucks are past their life.”

Benson recommended a 4.5 mill increase, using those funds to replace trucks proactively. “It’s pretty imperative we move forward on that,” he noted.

The Board pointed out that the last sentence of the resolution refers to “other capital purposes,” and Benson agreed to strike that phrase.

The Board approved Resolution B1.

Curlee said that between now and August 27, the Board will have to vote on the language for he ballot.

The Board established a Budget Committee according to the bylaws, Curlee said. The Board agreed on Reheis, along with the Chief, treasurer, and bookkeeper.

The Board approved a contract for Circuit Rider DEO. Curlee said the contract has been sent to the Board members and fully reviewed. They coordinate our elections, she explained, and are the Designated Collection Official.

Benson said the District received $15,000 from the auxiliary for the election. He declined a raise in order to fund this item.

The Board approved August 20 for a Special Meeting to go over language for the mill levy increase.

During the Treasurer’s report, Benson said they have had repairs on two stations. The opener blew on the garage door of Station 83. These are big garage doors.

During the Chief's Report, Benson said that a crew filmed a video. An evacuation order has changed to pre-evacuation. The area needs to evacuate, and it’s a mandatory evacuation. It will be communicated as an evacuation order.

As of July 23, a designated high-low siren has started, and it’s everywhere. It will only be used for mandatory evacuation. If residents ever hear that, they need to leave. It will be on all radio stations everywhere and a video explains it. It will also be explained on social media, Benson said.

He added that “We are on Stage 2 fire restrictions, and you will be held legally responsible for starting a fire. The State Park is separate and are outside of our jurisdiction, not by us or the Sheriff’s department. They are different. Their fire bans are more restrictive and requirements are different.”

Benson said our command staff—three captains, two chiefs and five lieutenants—may put equipment on personal vehicles. What they have found is that when they are working in Golden or at the base of canyon, and they are stuck behind vehicles coming up the canyon, this will allow them to have sirens on vehicles.

The District does not cover insurance for their vehicles.

The District will host a Burn Trailer for training for the next six weeks. It will have a fire inside with smoke and use a great deal of water.

The Board planned a special meeting for August 20 at 7 p.m. The next regular Board meeting will be on August 27, 2026, at 7 p.m. at The Grange, 25201 Golden Gate Canyon Road.