Fire template woes

Times Contributor

 

Rosebud Fire Association Chief Richard Zachariassen presented council with concerns from Rockyford, Rosebud, Cluny and Dalum fire departments, to additions added by county staff on their financial accounting template.

“This has been ongoing since March 28 and we haven’t got a template drawn up. We were supposed to have our forms in by the end of June and that is way past. Now it will be September before we get access to our funds,” said Zachariassen.

“In support of our staff, I don’t think they are not trying to force anything on anybody,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong

The original template, approved by council on July 5, was discussed and accepted at a meeting with the various fire departments;  however, staff said there was some confusion because notes recorded from the meeting were different on the fire department copies and staff copies.

Staff had added a second year breakdown to the template, so that comparison figures can clearly be seen. They also included an optional cash flow tool that would help the department keep track of their finances. Excel programs are being set up for departments to record their statements. 

“In all the non-profit organizations I have been involved with…a financial statement is standard practice,” said Councillor Brenda Knight.

“We agreed on this template and feel additions should not put through without us seeing them. It is confusing about what is required and what is a tool for use. We can probably work with it. Those who don’t work on Excel, it is a little more difficult,” said Zachariassen.

Council noted that two departments utilized the old forms prior to the suggested revisions and had already been paid. 

“This is affecting the trust with our fire departments. I suggest  that we pay them in good faith. Old statements from other departments are in but this one is a work in progress,” said Reeve Glen Koester.

“No more delays. We have been fighting for this for I don’t know how long. If we are going to show trust we can’t be going back and forth. As far as I am concerned let’s move forward,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

Suggestions to move forward were:

• Provide a second staff person at fire meetings to help with recording duties

• Fire departments will complete the accepted July 5 template and staff will fill in the 2010 financials requested on the addition  for this year. Subsequent years the fire department will be responsible to fill in all the information, with the Cash Flow template use at their discretion.

• Notify all departments of the addition

• Requested signed copies that each department agrees to the template