Hoodland Fire District (HFD) Fire Chief James Price presented a draft budget
for the 2021-22 fiscal year to the district’s budget committee during a May 18
Zoom meeting. The draft budget was approved for adoption by the committee
without a need for a second scheduled meeting.

“This year’s budget saw no significant changes in the things that cost the
most, such as personnel,” Chief Price said. “We’re returning the training
budget to where it was in 2018, providing funds for FIREWISE preparation in
the community, and are able to put some funds in reserves.”

For the July to June budget year of 2021-22, HFD will have a permanent tax
rate of $2.6385 per $1,000.00 of assessed value and $0.25 per $1,000.00 of
assessed value for the local option tax levy.

The draft budget is an increase of $888,573 from the 2020-21 budget. New
expenses are dependent on potential grant awards of $637,778, as well as an
anticipated increase of three percent in property tax revenue.

The 2021-22 budget funds several projects including FEMA grant funds for two
new firefighters through the SAFER Act, grant funds and matching district
funds for protective gear, replacement of living quarters and a generator at
the Welches station, FIREWISE community efforts and an increase in the
general funds unappropriated and Disaster/Contingency funds.

HFD came under scrutiny in 2020 after a Special Districts Association of
Oregon (SDAO) organizational assessment detailed “significant financial and
operational challenges unique to your community and district,” including a
lack of required financial audits for the past three years.

The SDAO report stated that the district could require further financial support
in the form of a general obligation bond in the future to cover the cost of new
fire apparatus and building improvements.

Chief Price credited Interim Fire Chief Steve Abel for completing audits for the
three years during his tenure in 2020 and stated the district is working to
resolve the issues presented by the SDAO regarding the district’s finances and
personnel management.

“The district is trending in the right direction,” Chief Price said. “We were able
to put some funds in reserves. We have to climb out of some difficulty; it’s an
ongoing process.”
The proposed budget will be publi
shed for public review by June 9. A final vote
on the budget will take place at the Tuesday, June 22 board of directors
meeting. The HFD board of directors cannot vary appropriations by more than

10 percent in any fund without returning the budget to the committee for
approval.

More information, including a draft of the proposed budget, is available online
at https://www.hoodlandfire.us/2021-2022-hfd-draft-budget.