SFPD Funding - Taxes and Grants

As a property owner in Sunshine, you might wish to know how we are funded, and how those funds are used.

Here is Treasurer Dan Fischer's summary of finances for 2024 and into 2025:

2024 was a busy and successful year for the Sunshine Fire Protection District!

We received a $103,910 Boulder County Equipment Grant that funded acquisition and outfitting of a command vehicle, a critical brake upgrade for Engine 4505, and partially funding for acquisition of a 2025 Can-Am Defender Limited 6x6 UTV to provide better access to properties throughout the district.

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) awarded $232,605 in contracts for the Dry Gulch South Fire Mitigation Project, $129,365 of which was funded by grants.

$84,243 in net revenue was earned through the dispatch of our equipment and firefighters to fight fires in other areas of the country. In addition to the revenue, this also provided invaluable experience to our firefighters.

The 2024 fundraising campaign raised $30,000 for the construction of a garage for the new UTV, which will be constructed in 2025. We received a donation of 434 wild land backpacks that were distributed to our firefighters and neighboring fire districts.

The successful fiscal year allows a transfer of approximately $100,000 to the District’s Capital Reserve, double that anticipated in the 2024 budget. This is in addition to the $315,729 Don Dicks Bequest received in 2024.

2025 Outlook

Income for 2025 is anticipated to be $183,282 for the general fund, $278,196 for The Community Wildfire Protection Plan ($61,831 in property tax, $165,155 in grants, and $51,209 from CWPP reserves to continue the Dry Gulch South mitigation project), and $9,179 from the Cistern fund reserves. The total operating budget, all funds, is $432,474.

District expenses in the 2025 Budget include:

General Fund:

General and Administration - insurance, utilities, and building maintenance: $54,900. SFPD is an all-volunteer district and no funding is spent on salaries or benefits except for fire fighters participating in paid State or Federal sponsored events.
Operating Expenses - repairs and maintenance, non-capital equipment and training: $65,200 .
Capital Expenses – major equipment purchases and project expenses: $25,000.
Transfer to Capital Reserve: $44,397. Contributions to the Capital Reserve anticipate future major equipment needs.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan Fund: $220,370 to complete the Dry Gulch South mitigation project.

Cistern Fund: $67,000 for water supply improvements.