At the request of an Elk Creek Fire board member, the district will provide easier access to its finances. Board vice president Dominique Devaney cited public concern and a recent influx of open records requests from fellow board member Chuck Newby as reasons to make the change. Devaney said most of the information Newby requested should be readily available to the public.
The subject arose during the board’s Feb. 22 meeting.
Newby, who said he agrees with Devaney, has submitted 26 open records requests to Elk Creek Fire this year. All are aimed at determining the cost to taxpayers of the failed Elk Creek, Inter-Canyon and North Fork fire consolidation effort, said Newby, who campaigned against the fall 2023 merger proposal.
Devaney said the requests have cost the district $3,000 “of unnecessary expense.”
“Most of it is nonrecoverable, which I don’t feel is a spectacular use of taxpayer money,” she said. “Twenty-four of the 26 requests made could have been resolved with the presentation of a bills-for-payment register, just listing the checks written and who they were to.”
Devaney is an administrative and human resources manager at the Evergreen Metro District, which she said provides that information in its board packets.
“I have requested that the Elk Creek Fire Department present information similarly to alleviate these concerns,” she said. “I will continue to make that request until it’s done.”
Elk Creek Fire Chief Jacob Ware said he’ll ensure the change is made.
“Of course we can do that,” he said. “Fiscal transparency is apparent.
“Director Devaney has a tremendous amount of experience in special districts. I really value her expertise and opinion on it.”
Newby, who has also made public records requests with the Inter-Canyon and North Fork fire districts, said he’s in favor of such a change.
“I think publishing the check register is an excellent idea,” he said. “I believe we as a district haven’t been as transparent as we could be and should be. We’ve spent taxpayer money wisely, and I don’t think there’s any financial mismanagement at all. But when you’re not transparent up front, you leave the taxpayers wondering. I want them to have the facts.”
Devaney said the district has no financial secrets.
“There is a faction that has concerns over finances; I do not have concerns,” she said. “Every year we’re required to undergo an audit, and we have passed it. We also came in under budget last year.
“I believe in being in front of things, and I think a lot of the concern can be resolved simply with the way that information is provided,” she continued. “My opinion is we have nothing to hide, so just get it out there.”
As for his open records requests, Newby said he tried to avoid submitting them.
“I’ve asked for that information and been refused time and time again,” he said. “The reason for the batches of CORAs (Colorado Open Records Act) to this district and the two other districts Is it’s the only way I can get the information. I’m just trying to understand how much was spent on consolidation, the direct costs between 2021 and 2023.
“You’re asked to narrowly tailor what you’re asking for in the form. That’s why there are so many,” he continued.
Newby believes the information is important for Elk Creek residents.
“I’ve had questions specifically from taxpayers within the district on these things,” he said. “This is not an effort to catch some misdeeds or misspending. I see this as a service to my constituents, by getting them information that rightfully belongs to them. It’s in the public interest.”
He said he is not trying to discourage another consolidation effort.
“I have no knowledge anybody plans to seek consolidation again,” he said. “I would re-evaluate a new proposal on its own merits. That’s my duty — to be a fiduciary for all the people of the Elk Creek district.”