The other presentation slated for that evening is a full report on the results of the Firehouse Sale. By that time the costs will have been tallied, and Firehouse Sale Chairperson Sharon Aleckson will be able to announce the Sale’s net profit and give more detailed information on the success of the Sale.
How much money goes to the Fire District?
There have been questions raised about how much money the HPCC donates to Fire District 14. Here’s some information about how that decision will be made.
The HPCC fiscal year ends on June 30. Although financial planning is done on an ongoing basis, now is the time the HPCC Board of Directors discusses and finalizes the new fiscal year budget. If you are interested in having input into where the money goes, call Sharon Aleckson at 365-4429, Barb Parrish at 509-281-0933, or another board member, to find out when the budget will be on the Board’s meeting agenda.
The Board reviews the next year’s expected expenses and sources of income, looks at projects slated for the future and money held in reserve for specific uses, and so on. A large chunk of the budgeted outlay, and a priority for the HPCC, is donating money to help support Fire District 14. Another major portion goes to maintaining the Community Center. This includes utilities, cleaning, maintenance of kitchen equipment, permits, and improvements that are not covered by grants or specific donations. (Expenses related to the Community Center support the Fire District, too, since the FD owns the building and would have to find some way to pay for the part of the upkeep that HPCC currently provides.)
As part of the budget process, and taking into consideration requests received from the Fire District, the Board decides on an amount they will recommend be donated to the Fire District. They present their recommendation to the general HPCC membership at a regular HPCC meeting and the subject is opened for discussion, followed by a general vote. All interested High Prairie residents are encouraged to come and take part in the process. Since there is no August HPCC meeting, this will probably happen at the meeting on September 28, 2017.
Every person on High Prairie has a voice in this decision. This is your opportunity to ask questions, find out information, get your concerns out in the open, express your ideas, and have input into the results. Remember what speaker Randy Pausch said, “Complaining doesn’t work as a strategy.” Come and be part of the process.