By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Claflin Fire District No. 1 serves the city of Claflin and northeast Barton County. Following the close of the Barton County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, the fire district appeared before the body to transfer the remaining funds from 2023 to 2024. County Administrator Matt Patzner presented the issue to the commission.
"After looking at where they ended in fund balance, $45,000 for a transfer would put us in a good position to remain revenue-neutral for 2025," said Patzner. "There was some unanticipated revenue. If you remember, we amended the budget for that additional revenue. They ended up being quite a bit under budget in 2023."
Captain Chris Steiner, filling in for Chief Kyle Smith, said not so fast. The district usually transfers approximately $20,000 each year. The district received a grant in 2022, but those funds were not received until 2023, resulting in the unanticipated revenue. Tuesday's transfer brings the district's reserve balance to approximately $145,000, but the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) is on the horizon.
"That 145,000 sounds really great right now," Steiner said. "Unfortunately, we have struck out four years in a row on our SCBA grant. We're trying to get new SCBAs. Our SCBAs are actually out of date as of last year."
The district continues to seek small grants to help offset those costs. The firefighters are raising money with a gun raffle in September. With the help of Cheyenne Bottoms Armory, Fire District No. 1 will give away a gun every day in September. Tickets are $50 each and only 1,000 tickets will be sold. Call (620) 587-3498 or email claflinfiredept@gmail.com for more information about the raffle.