Leaders of the Rural Fire Protection Association told the Koochiching County Board Tuesday that they are attempting to compare of the costs of operating their own fire department versus contracting with the city of International Falls.

Randy Pozniak, RFPA billing agent, and Darryl Waller, RFPA president, supported by several members of the group’s board, asked county commissioners whether space is available in the former Army Reserve building for the RFPA’s trucks and how much that space would cost.

Commissioners said they would schedule a meeting to discuss the ramifications of the group’s idea, as well as need to fix the reserve building’s boiler and roof prior to its use.

Pozniak explained that the need to consider options other than contracting for service from International Falls has grown from a proposal by the city to increase the annual cost to RFPA from its current $100,000 per year to $150,000 per year. The current contract expires at the end of this year.

“We need to evaluate everything,” said Waller. “Insurance is a key thing.”

For more than 50 years RFPA shared in firefighter training and prevention costs with the International Falls Fire Department, Pozniak said. In addition, RFPA rented space at $200 per month in the Falls Fire Hall for storage of its trucks. The cost of firefighters for rural calls was paid to the city, he said. The total cost ranged from $12,000-$16,000 each year, with fire calls being the largest variable in that annual cost.

In 2007, the costs to RFPA increased to a flat fee of $100,000 per year. Now, he said, the city wants to increase the annual cost to $150,000.

Members of the RFPA now pay $70 in dues per year, he said, noting that many retired people have expressed concern about the annual cost. In addition, he said, residents in the Pelland Junction area have indicated a desire to withdraw from RFPA and receive fire protection from Littlefork.

If the contract rate to RFPA is increased to $150,000, Pozniak estimated that the dues paid by members would increase to $100 per year.

“RFPA’s desire is to continue with the International Falls Fire Department, but if the costs continue to rise, other options become necessary,” he told the board.

He explained that if RFPA pays $150,000 for service, plus collects $20,000 for annual operating costs and $20,000 each year for its reserves; that totals $190,000, which would be divided by 1,900 parcels of property covered, equaling $100 per member.

Pozniak said the RFPA Board has been contacting local insurance agents to determine the impact on fire insurance rates to property owners covered by RFPA. Answers have varied, he said, with some saying there would be no change in rates and others saying there would be a significant change.

Waller said the RFPA Board is attempting to gather information so it may provide it to members.

“They will make a decision with us,” he said of the idea.

Koochiching County Board News Notes
• The county board agreed to extend a deadline to make a decision on a request by Bowman Construction Inc. to rezone property and provide a conditional use permit, as recommended by the Planning Commission, for a four acre rock quarry on an 80 acre parcel of property near Clemetson.

About 40 residents of the Clemetson area attended the meeting with many voicing opposition to the proposal and submitting petitions of opposition. The board noted that they had received several letters and calls supporting the proposal.

After a lengthy discussion, commissioners said they would visit the proposed site at 10 a.m. Aug. 18 and meet with Carl Bowman, owner of Bowman Construction, and area residents in an attempt to reach a compromise. The board said it would make a decision on Bowman’s request Sept. 1. Board Chairman Mike Hanson, who represents the area, said he didn’t believe anything would change in that time.

• The board heard a request by Ranier Mayor Ed Oerichbauer to consider establishing a committee to discuss train concerns. The board said it would meet with a representative of the city and make a recommendation about the committee.

Commissioner Wade Pavleck said the community has had concerns the noise of trains idling for hours at the Ranier crossing and the emission of diesel fumes during that time, as well as problems with boats traveling below the rail bridge when the bridge is in the down position.

Commissioner Chuck Lepper said earlier meetings with Kevin Soucie, Canadian National representative, haven’t been of much value and he wondered how sensitive CN officials are to the community’s concerns.

Oerichbauer said earlier meetings with CN officials revealed that the city meets five of the six criteria needed for installation of a crossing arm. The sixth criteria involves a death at the tracks.

“When I croak, throw my body under the train and say we met the sixth criteria,” Pavleck joked.

• The board agreed to release $11,000 — the remainder of an earlier award — to the Koochiching Aging Options. The recently formed organization is providing a number of services discontinued by KOOTASCA Community Action Inc. The county has withheld 10 percent of its annual allocations to a number of groups, including the KAO. During budget planning, the additional money to the groups will be considered.

• The board heard that David Kunath has been hired by the Highway Department as senior engineering technician. It also heard that Kathryn Sikkila has been hired as a part-time veterans service officer.

• The board agreed to fill a vacant social worker position.