Barb Parrish, Secretary, HPCC
There have been many discussions and questions regarding how the funds from the sale are used. This seems like a good forum to address those concerns. A report of the success of this year’s sale will be presented at the HPCC meeting on July 27, and the most recent HPCC budget is available to answer questions or concerns about costs for maintaining our Community Center.
This past winter I dug into the old meeting minutes. The result of my research is a recap of policy decisions made over the years regarding the amount of Firehouse Sale profits to go to the Fire District. I’ve listed details from the minutes below. Some history—in 2000 and 2001, ALL the net profits went to the Fire District. In 2002, it was made official that the profits would be split 50/50 between HPCC and the Fire District. That arrangement lasted until 2011, when it was changed so the profits could be split according to the most pressing need(s). By then, the HPCC had taken on significant financial responsibilities for the Community Center.
My research shows that over the years $51,704.50 has been recorded as donated to the Fire District. (Refer to chart, below). The total is actually higher, since there are two years missing where I couldn’t find a figure recorded, one year when all the proceeds went to finishing the Community Center, and one year that the Fire District agreed for HPCC to use $5,000 for site work instead of making a donation. Since the Fire District owns the property, they benefit from any improvements HPCC makes to the land or the building, as well as from any part of the upkeep or maintenance paid for by HPCC. If the missing figures and the money HPCC spent on the site and building were included, the donated amount would be well over $75,000!
THANKS go to all of our wonderful community members who have worked so hard all of these years to insure that we have a well equipped fire department and a beautiful community center for all to enjoy—you are the greatest!
HPNA Minutes – February 28, 2002 – FIREHOUSE SALE COMMITTEE:
Cal Edwards made a motion that all future fundraising events in which the fire department’s or the firehouse’s names are used be split 50/50 between Fire District #14 and the High Prairie Neighborhood Association. The funds would be held in the Association’s treasury. Dona seconded the motion and the motion was adopted.
HPNA Minutes – March 28, 2002 – MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:
The minutes from the February 28, 2002 meeting were approved as corrected: The second sentence of the Firehouse Sale Committee Report is changed to: “Cal Edwards made a motion that all future fundraising events in which the fire department’s or firehouse’s names are used be split 50/50 between Fire District #14 and the High Prairie Neighborhood Association.”
HPNA Minutes – April 25, 2002 – MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING:
Cal Edwards made a correction to the correction of the February 28, 2002 minutes as follows: The second sentence of the February 28, 2002 Firehouse Sale Committee report is changed to: “Cal Edwards made a motion that proceeds from all future fundraising events in which the fire department’s name or the firehouse building are used to split 50/50 between Fire District #14 and the High Prairie Neighborhood Association.”
HPCC Minutes – March 24, 2011 – NEW BUSINESS (Resolution Motion)
Martha Hamil read the following motion which was sent to HPCC on Sunday, March 20, 2011:
-1 Resolution
Whereas, The total net profits from the Firehouse Sale during the first 3 years were devoted entirely to Fire District #14 when their need was dire and 50% of the net proceeds in the following 7 years were allocated to Fire District #14 according to the motion of 25 April 2002; and
Whereas, Fire District #14 now has Reserve funds and the term ‘Firehouse Sale’ is not an official name;
Resolved, That the motions of 2002 pertaining to the name ‘The Firehouse Sale’ and the distribution of the monies be amended to read:“The term ‘Firehouse Sale’ be used for the annual community fundraising event. After deductions of expenses related to operating the Community Center for the forthcoming year and seed money for the upcoming year’s ‘Firehouse Sale’, the net proceeds derived from the ‘Firehouse Sale’ be allocated to HPCC and/or Fire District #14 according to the most pressing needs following established protocols.”
Patrice Archuleta seconded the motion. After some discussion and some opposition, Myrin Bentz and Patrice Archuleta called the question. Ted McKercher re-read the motion—21 were in favor, 5 opposed —the motion carried. Ted explained what the motion meant for HPCC and HPFD – “one community working together”.