The Twentynine Palms Water District Board of Directors met last night and voted to split the telecommunication lease revenue between the water district and fire department, 50-50. The revenue will be used to fund the 2013-14 election, and to fund capital needs. The Board also approved a $253,000 payment to CalPERS to pay off unfunded pension liability. The board was advised that making a lump sum payment would reduce the board’s future payments by almost $19,000 over the next 22 years. On the fire department side, the board was presented with a balanced budget of $1.2 million. Fire Chief Jim Thompson reported that due to the closing of the Lear Avenue Station, operating costs have declined 8.2 percent. In order to retain volunteer firefighters, the board approved an increase in the reimbursement rates; the meal reimbursements were cut, but mileage rates were increased and stipends put in place for qualified drivers and for paid-call firefighters.
TWENTYNINE PALMS WATER DISTRICT SHIFTS REVENUES, APPROVES $1.2 MILLION FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET
