The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) website recently added a FAQ sub-page to its Trustees page, which consolidates information relating to the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District (GFPID) Board of Trustees. The new FAQ clarifies some important details around questions that have come up. One item is not fully fleshed out, however:
What are some important aspects of the role of Trustee?
A community-minded Trustee puts the well-being and safety of our community first. This involves focusing on the long-term resilience and service quality of the fire hall, listening to community concerns and balancing diverse needs and working collaboratively, even when it means personal compromise.
Trustees provide for the needs of the firefighters ongoing training as provincial mandates change, provide updated equipment as required and mandated, looking ahead at large replacement items required by insurance and provincial regulations, along with upkeep and maintenance costs of equipment and buildings. Trustees work to not only bring passion to this position, but also perspective.
The above describes general principles for approaching the job of Trustee in the context of a fire improvement district, but does not include mandated requirements relating to the position. The legal responsibilities of Trustees are laid out in legislation, as described in the Improvement District Trustee’s Handbook: “Generally, a board of trustees has all the powers necessary or useful for managing the improvement district’s services. Some of these powers include taxation, regulation, the acquisition and disposal of property, borrowing, expropriations, the hiring of employees and the ability to enter into contracts.” (p4)
The Handbook explains that there are 4 principle roles for Trustees (p6, paraphrased):
- Acting as elected representative for their whole community: facilitating clear and transparent communication between the improvement district and the community. “Trustees are expected to act in the best interest of the community and strive to govern in the best interests of the residents.” (IDM sBp9)
- Ensuring adequate and ongoing funding and administrative resources and capacities through responsible financial stewardship
- Making policies to provide direction to both the board of trustees and improvement district employees
- Making laws relating to borrowing, levying taxes, and entering into contracts.
Re the third point, the Improvement District Manual adds that although “Trustees should not be involved in the day-to-day improvement district administration” (IDM sBp12), Trustee statutory duties include “The appointment and dismissal of officers or employees and deciding the terms and conditions of their employment (Section 738.4).” (IDM sBp9)
Commentary on other items on the FAQ list:
