Among public criticism of spending mixed with a strong support of its services, the Sedona Fire District hired a civilian — Karen Daines — to fill a new position as business director.
Daines, who started June 30, is filling the position years after a similar position at the district went vacant.
Eight years ago when SFD governing board member Tom Wells came on the board, there was a similar position under then Fire Chief Larry Drake. When the person left, the position remained vacant.
By Alison Ecklund
Larson Newspapers
Among public criticism of spending mixed with a strong support of its services, the Sedona Fire District hired a civilian — Karen Daines — to fill a new position as business director.
Daines, who started June 30, is filling the position years after a similar position at the district went vacant.
Eight years ago when SFD governing board member Tom Wells came on the board, there was a similar position under then Fire Chief Larry Drake. When the person left, the position remained vacant.
After Drake left, former Deputy Fire Chief Matt Shobert became chief and kept the discussion to fill the position alive. Before he left in April, he opened the position up and tested for it.
SFD is following a national trend that puts civilians in administrative functions instead of sworn personnel, Daines said.
“This has been in the works for years,” Wells said of the position. “We’re very satisfied with the operations side, but we need someone on the administrative side.”
Daines, who has 12 years in municipal government in Phoenix and Peoria, oversees human resources, finance and administration at SFD.
After spending the past seven and a half years as the administrative services manager for the Peoria Fire Department, Daines brings a master’s degree in public administration with a specialization in government budget and finance to take on SFD’s budget.
“The governing board and the fire chief recognize the value in taking a business approach to fire and EMS service delivery,” Daines said. “They know they are responsible to the taxpayers to be good stewards and to operate the district in the most efficient and effective manner possible.”
In order to help the district reach its goals, Daines plans to make the most of existing resources, evaluate the financial condition of the organization, establish policies for handling finances and identify new ways to pay for services.
Charles Christensen, a former governing board member who has recently criticized the district for lack of accountability, welcomes the idea of a business director for the district.
“I think it’s a great acquisition, and if she is up to the task, which is big, then we can go forward with some assurance of accountability, which is sorely lacking now,” he said.
Daines said she plans on totally revamping the budget, based on standards set by the Government Finance Officers Association, which outlines how a budget should be prepared for the public.
She also plans on holding public meetings to discuss the budget before it is made.
“I come from the train of thought, ‘you’re government; you have to be as transparent as can be,’” Daines said.
The new budget will come with explanations of what each figure means, so the layman can understand exactly how their tax money is spent.
Daines is also proposing a five-year capital project plan in the budget so the public knows what SFD is spending on big-ticket items for the next five years.
The first year would be an appropriated budget that the board adopts in that year’s budget, and the rest would just be a plan, she said, but everything in the five-year plan will have funding attached.
“I think I bring the educational background and experience to make a positive contribution to the district,” Daines said. “I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead here for me professionally, as well as the opportunities that lie ahead for the organization.”
Alison Ecklund can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 125, or e-mail aecklund@larsonnewspapers.com
