Board of Trustees November 13, 2025
West Blount Fire & EMS District
The Board of Trustees for West Blount Fire and Emergency Medical Services District met at Fire
Station No. 1 on November 13, 2025, the meeting was opened at 6:00 PM by Marty Stover,
Chair. Prayer was offered by Danny Smith. All trustees were present, plus Clay Jones, Chief,
Christie Moore, Treasurer, and Stacy Quinn, Billing Manager. Guests included Town of Hayden
Councilmembers Jo Young and Christy Harris.
The minutes of the October 9, 2025, meeting were accepted on motion by Danny Smith,
seconded by Dolores Fort after correction of date for the year end Dinner to December 13.
Financial report – The operating balance for October 2025 was $70,808.13. Total income was
$25,804.46, with dues of $21,983.84. Total expenses were $65,499.19, including payroll of
$44,978.89 and repair and maintenance of $5,453.74.
The financial report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Correspondence – A letter was received from Blount County Commission announcing the
reappointment of James Huffstutler to West Blount Fire Board of Trustees for a period of five
years, term ending November 2030.
Chief’s Report – Total calls for October 2025 were 142, including 17 out-of-area (8 – Bangor; 0
– Corner; 0 – Dallas-Selfville; 1 – Locust Fork; 5 – Mt. High/Ricetown; 2 – Nectar; 1 – Warrior):
75 medical, 13 auto accident; 3 structure fire, 7 wild fire, 1 vehicle fire, 8 fire alarm, 3 fire other,
11 public service, 4 tree down, 0 HAZMAT. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 59; Sta. 2
Smoke Rise, 60; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 4; Sta. 4, Nyota, 2.
The following was also reported:
 Personnel – Interviews will begin in December for two recruit school spots
 Apparatus – The F-150 has been fully transitioned and in service as the new Rescue
Truck. A new Chief’s vehicle will not be purchased as the Chief will use his personal
vehicle for business
 Training – Several classes have been scheduled for 2026
 The Chief talked with Royal Pines, they will be annexing into our district
 There have been a lot of calls for Bangor, a meeting will be set up with their board.
 Ambulance RFP Update – The situation has not radically changed
 911 – By 2027, the user fees now paid by the county will be turned over to the fire
departments
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Old Business
Billing Update – There was a check in the amount of $2,378 received from MSN (Massey,
Stotser, & Nicholas) for October collections, making a total of $253,691.25 received to date.
There were three new accounts added. Fire dues received in October was $15,201.12 in checks
or cash, $5,652.72 in Credit/Debit card. There were also $250 assessment fees, $1,399.71
insurance reimbursement, $60 donations, $1,862.46 MSN fees, and $498.45 other income.
Total collected for October was $25,224.46 [income from October 2024 was $19,921.92]. Total
collected for the year was $658.490.28 [income from 2024 was $594,980.28].
West Blount Fire Board – November 13, 2025 Page 2
There were 3,647 accounts invoiced. There are 2,814 accounts paid in full. There are 836
accounts with a balance. At the end of October there are 77% of accounts paid in full,
compared to 79% in October 2024.
The new UMS software system with CNI has begun, Next Bill Pay is up and running for
credit/debit payments. It is a learning process right now with reports in UMS but should have a
more detailed list of debt/income for review in January 2026.
The goal for 2025 remains the same, collect 100% of delinquent and outstanding dues owed
for 2024-2025, which would end the year with a minimum of 89% paid in full.
Third Party Billing – Payments received this month were $1,420.77, making a total of
$27,999.93 for 2025, and a total lifetime payments received of $35,378.33. There are 25
invoices in Que.
Blount Springs Water Update – Mr. Tullis is pursuing a lawsuit against Blount County Water the
first of the new year.
Year-End Recognition Dinner – Menu for 100 will consist of steak, green beans, loaded mashed
potatoes, garden salad, dinner rolls, tea (sweet & unsweet) with lemons, and fruit cobbler for a
cost of $3,759, 20% gratuity of $752, for a total of $4,511. Bonus for the fire fighters will be
$3,500. Total cost will be $8,011
Christmas Parade – signs are going up tomorrow; a street sweeper will be rented to gather up
debris after the parade; Warren Stewart will be Santa.
New Business
Budget – Chief Jones submitted a proposed FY2026 Operating Budget in the amount of
$497,600, which is $83,000 below FY 2025 Operating Budget It was explained that this budget
is based solely off of fire dues and does not include yearly revenues from Blount County Taxes,
Forestry Grants, Blount County Healthcare Authority Grants or revenue received from Third
Party Billing. The estimated value of these revenue streams is approximately $75,000 to
$100,000.
A motion was made by Jamie Huffstutler, seconded by Dolores Fort, to accept the budget.
Motion passed.
Other Business
The Rescue truck has been sold.
West Blount will be keeping the ambulance in case we may have a need for its use.
The State has closed the Blount County Forestry office and moved it to Gardendale. Matt
Tucker, who is over Blount County, talked with Chief Jones. After discussion, he was offered
space for them at our station. If it works out after six months, there will be a rental agreement
formulated.
The next board meeting will Thursday, January 8, 2026, 6:00 PM at Station One.
West Blount Fire Board – November 13, 2025 Page 3.
The meeting was adjourned on motion by Jamie Huffstutler at 7:35 PM.
Present
Dolores Fort
Mark Giddy
Jamie Huffstutler
Danny Smith
Marty Stover
Clay Jones
Christie Moore
Stacy Quinn
Visitors
Christy Harris, Hayden Council member
Jo Young, Hayden Council member
Dolores Fort
Secretary