The projected budget for 2014 and renovations to Syracuse Fire Station I were the primary matters discussed at the Aug. 8 Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board meeting.

Chief Mickey Scott reviewed the Turkey Creek Fire Territory report for June and July. In June, the TCFT responded to 16 fire calls and 98 EMS calls, a decrease of nine from last year. He estimated the total property loss on these calls was $1,500.

In July there were 15 fire calls and 101 EMS calls. Scott estimated total property loss for the month at $1,000.

Scott also noted that he met with the Department of Local Government Finance on July 22. He presented the proposed budgets that were approved by the Turkey Creek Township and Advisory Board at the July 8 meeting. DLGF reviewed the budget with no issues noted.

Scott reported the proposed operations budget was $1,533,660 for operations and $170,000 for replacement equipment. He noted the total proposed budget of $1,703,660 is $96,484 less than 2009.

Per the Kosciusko County Auditors’ Office, in 2013 86 percent of the budget came from township taxes and 14 percent came from town taxes. So, the estimated property taxes to fund the 2014 budget would be $1,192,527.60 from the county and $194,132.40 from the town of Syracuse.

Scott also requested $1,680 to provide advanced EMT training. One full-time staffer will be attending an advanced course, with two full-time staffers attending classes. The board voted unanimously in favor. “Once completed, they will be able to provide a higher level of care than they do now,” said Scott.

There was still some debate regarding funding for the equipment replacement fund. Scott showed a budgeted amount of $170,000 for 2014. The board referred to the tax levee of $401,000. Brian Woody said he felt the TCFT may be over taxing citizens while Scott advised not to overly constrict the budget. But Syracuse has the lowest assessment percentage in the state.

To iron out the issues with the equipment replacement fund, and still meet the deadline for the projected budgets, the board scheduled a special meeting. It is currently planned for 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, at Syracuse Town Hall. Location is subject to change.

Robb Fultz of Allen County Builders was present to discuss his company’s plans for the fire station renovations. ACB’s initial bid of $669,000 was more than $200,000 over the approved budget. Fultz presented new plans taking into account the budget restrictions.

The new plans cut over $100,000 from the project cost by slightly reducing the square footage of plans, and changing some of the building materials.

“The good part about this proposal is nothing suffered,” said Fultz.

While the board was more comfortable with the new proposal, they did not vote to approve the plans. Requests were made to research cutting more costs, but conversations indicated the board may be close to moving forward with the renovations.