| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 | AMENDMENT 10, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024, INTRODUCES KEY CHANGES, INCLUDING UPDATES TO CERTAIN DEFINITIONS AND AN INCREASE IN THE BASIC BENEFIT AMOUNT PER SIX-MONTH PERIOD. BENEFITS WILL CONTINUE TO BE DISTRIBUTED SEMI-ANNUALLY IN APRIL AND OCTOBER. THE AMENDMENT ALSO EXTENDS THE CLAIM SUBMISSION PERIOD FROM 180 DAYS TO 240 DAYS, WITH A POSSIBLE 60-DAY EXTENSION FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. ADDITIONALLY, IT CLARIFIES PROCEDURES FOR SELF-PAYMENT CONTRIBUTIONS, APPEAL PROCESSES, AND TRUSTEE AUTHORITY WHILE REAFFIRMING THE TRUSTEES' RIGHT TO ADJUST BENEFITS, AMEND PROVISIONS, OR TERMINATE THE PLAN AS NECESSARY. AMENDMENT 11, EFFECTIVE JULY 23, 2024, ESTABLISHES THE LEGACY RETIREE BENEFIT, FUNDED THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE VENTURA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AS OUTLINED IN THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA). THIS BENEFIT PROVIDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR HEALTH-RELATED EXPENSES INCURRED BY ELIGIBLE VCPFA RETIREES AND THEIR SURVIVING SPOUSES, WITH INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR. THE AMENDMENT DEFINES ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, BENEFIT DISTRIBUTION PROCEDURES, CLAIMS PROCESSES, AND CONDITIONS FOR TERMINATION, INCLUDING THE RETURN OF UNUSED FUNDS TO THE TRUST UPON THE DEATH OF A RETIREE OR SURVIVING SPOUSE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A | THERE ARE FIVE TRUSTEES, AT LEAST THREE OF WHOM ARE EMPLOYEES AND TWO ARE ELIGIBLE RETIREES UNDER THE TRUST. ONE OF THE THREE EMPLOYEE TRUSTEES IS APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VENTURA COUNTY PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION (THE ASSOCIATION), AND FOUR OF THE FIVE TRUSTEES ARE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THE PLAN SPONSOR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAME ELECTION PROCEDURES USED FOR THE ASSOCIATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXCEPT THAT THE ELIGIBLE RETIREES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE. EACH PERSON APPOINTED OR ELECTED AS TRUSTEE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OR IN THE CASE OF A RETIREE, A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING OF THE ASSOCIATION. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 8B | THE TRUST HAS NO SEPARATE COMMITTEES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | THE TREASURER READS THE FORM 990 FOR COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY BEFORE SIGNING AND FILING WITH IRS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12 | THE TRUST IS AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND PROHIBITED TRANSACTION POLICIES OF ERISA. AS SUCH, ANY OTHER POLICIES ARE THUS UNNECESSARY AND INAPPROPRIATE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE TRUST DOES NOT PAY ANY COMPENSATION TO ANY OF ITS TRUSTEES OR OFFICERS. THE TRUST HAS NO EMPLOYEES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE TRUST'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON WRITTEN REQUEST. THE TRUST'S SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT IS PROVIDED TO PARTICIPANTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. |
| PART VII, SECTION A, LINE 1A: | THE TRUST DOES NOT HAVE INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPENSATION RECEIVED BY THE TRUSTEES FROM THEIR EMPLOYER. THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE PAID PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS. THEY ARE EMPLOYED BY THEIR EMPLOYER AND RECEIVE ALL THEIR COMPENSATION SOLELY CONNECTED TO THEIR DUTIES AS PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS. IN THEIR ROLE AS TRUSTEES, THEY ARE FIDUCIARIES AND SUBJECT TO LEGAL PROHIBITIONS AGAINST SELF-DEALING. THEY SERVE ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS AS TRUST FIDUCIARIES; THEY DO NOT RECEIVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FROM THEIR EMPLOYER OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR THEIR SERVICES ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. NOTE ALSO THAT THE DISCLOSURE OF COMPENSATION REQUESTED ON THE FORM 990 WOULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN BY REQUIRING THE TRUST TO COLLECT THIS INFORMATION ANNUALLY, SINCE THE TRUSTEES' COMPENSATION AS PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS VARIES FROM YEAR TO YEAR, AND FROM TRUSTEE TO TRUSTEE. FINALLY, AND VERY IMPORTANTLY, THE FORM 990 IS PUBLIC INFORMATION. IT IS LIKELY THAT REQUIRING THE DISCLOSURE OF COMPENSATION WILL DISSUADE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS FROM VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE ON THE BOARD. THE TRUST WOULD THEN HAVE TO SPEND TRUST ASSETS TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL TRUSTEE. PLEASE CONTACT THE TRUST OFFICE IF YOU WOULD LIKE FURTHER INFORMATION, AND/OR WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER. THE TRUSTEES WANT TO BE COOPERATIVE WITH THE IRS, BUT REQUESTING THIS COMPENSATION INFORMATION IS PROBLEMATIC FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE. |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: | PARTNERSHIP UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME 43,199. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THERE IS NO SEPARATE AUDIT COMMITTEE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 13: | THE TRUST IS SUBJECT TO ERISA SECTION 510, HENCE THE TRUST DOES NOT HAVE A SEPARATE WRITTEN WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 14: | THE TRUST'S DOCUMENT RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION POLICY IS COVERED IN THE ARTICLE VI, SECTION 2D OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT. |
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