To provide ongoing administrative stability, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District decided on Monday evening to extend the contract with Warren Jones to serve as interim fire chief through the end of 2026. Jones was hired in October for a six-month interim role.
The move is intended to allow the fire district to avoid rushing into recruiting and hiring a new permanent chief.
Board President Sandi Smith said the purpose is to prioritize “quality over quickness” so that a good decision can be made, while also hiring as soon as possible.
Board members discussed their interest in finding the right candidate by the fall and allowing for some overlap between the interim chief and the new permanent chief, if necessary.
A recruitment committee will evaluate search firms and make a recommendation to the board at its February meeting about which company the district should hire.
If possible, the board hopes to recruit a candidate from Colorado or the Western region who both understands the types of wildland fire conditions in the Estes Valley area and also recognizes the particular needs of a mostly volunteer fire department.
The board has also appointed a committee to begin the process of assessing a department reorganization and to develop job descriptions for administrative and supervisory positions. The district recently brought in a firm to evaluate administrative staffing. A report from that firm will be reviewed and discussed at the next board meeting on Jan. 19.
The board also discussed its intention to implement the reorganization and develop a strategic plan before hiring a new chief, but it will defer a campaign to seek voter approval for a sales tax until after a new chief is in place.
The idea of a new local sales tax that would fund the EVFPD is related to the Town of Estes Park’s proposal to build a new police station and public safety center. The town and district have begun discussions about the town’s proposal to pull back the sales tax revenue currently allocated to the EVFPD and use that funding for the new police station.
The district is finishing the year in the black, although revenue received from the town was less than anticipated, and the department also spent less due to personnel changes.
Interim Chief Jones requested approval from the board for year-end compensation bonuses to staff and volunteers who have provided exceptional service during challenging times over the past year. The board approved up to $18,000, which will be divided among certain staff and volunteer members per Jones’ discretion.