Board of Trustees September 10, 2020
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 September 10, 2020, the meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Greg Reid, Chair, who opened with prayer. Four Trustees were present plus JJ Ivey, Fire Chief, Melissa Thomas, Treasurer, and Diane Cox and Lisa Morgan, Billing Managers.
The minutes of the August 13, 2020 meeting were accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Marty Stover.
Financial report – The operating balance for August was $376,272.18. Total receipts were $23,570.92, including dues of $18,752.57. Total expenses were $36,127.63, including payroll of $25,600.33 and maintenance and repair of $4,444.49. Upcoming known large expenses due November 6 are insurance premiums of $3,166.50 and $1,220.50.
The Financial Report was accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Dolores Fort.
Chief’s Report
Total calls for August were 124 (plus 9 out-of-area calls: 2 Locust Fort/Dallas Selfville; 6 Nectar/ Cleveland; 1 Warrior): 70 medical, 3 structure fire, 10 auto accidents, 8 fire alarms, 1 vehicle fire, 25 public service, 0 wild fire, 5 fire other, 1 911 hang-up. Breakdown by fire station: Sta. 1 – 63; Sta. 2, Smoke Rise – 51; Sta. 3, Sugar Creek 6; Sta. 4, Nyota – 4.
Other items reported include:
Still working on what will be purchased with the money from the 2 grants recently received
The quote for rope equipment is $3900, $900 over budget, which was approved
The skid for the ATV has been ordered, which will be paid for with the Forestry grant recently received
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Marty Stover.
Old Business
Billing Update – At the end of August there were 18 total CLA’s (conditional lien agreements) on file. The attorneys have a total of 230 accounts, 5 paid in full, 11 with payment plans with MSN, 6 others on payment plan with no liens. 216 accounts have liens, and 8 being worked on. We received a check from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) for $2,752.68 in August, total collected so far in 2020 $22,075.91, making total collected from MSN since 2018 of $67,069.95. There were 6 new accounts added in August. There were 5 new exemptions approved, making total exemptions for the year of 126, and 5 denied for the year. Fire dues received was $18,437.57, plus $315 assessment fees, and $4,769.50 other, totaling $23,522.07 (2019 total at the same time was $19,170.87). [Total collected for 2020 is $481,415.73.] There are 808 accounts in the system with a balance totaling $304,394.32, which includes all outstanding dues from the beginning. There are 3,711 total accounts in the system. So far this year there has been 78% participation for payment of fire dues. Late fees were added to 687 accounts not yet paid, totaling $10,305. Office hours will remain 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
A billing reminder will be sent out in October.
Fire District Board of Trustees – September 10, 2020 page 2
Construction – The duct work and exhaust fan for Station 1 is in progress. The necessary materials have been ordered for Station 2.
New Business –
Board Appointment – Annette Cox was nominated and agreed to serve another five-year term on the board. Her current term expires on November 30, 2020. The County Commission will be notified of Mrs. Cox’s recommendation for their consideration to re-appoint her to the West Blount Fire Board of Trustees to take effect December 1, 2020 to expire November 30, 2025.
Year-End Dinner – The date for the annual dinner for all firefighters and invited guests is scheduled for Friday, December 4th. After discussion it was decided on motion by Marty Stover, seconded by Annette Cox that due to the current situation with the pandemic, we have an Open House at Fire Station No. 1 on Sunday, December 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. The motion passed on a vote of two to one.
Christmas Parade – December 1st is the scheduled date for the Annual Hayden Christmas Parade. This topic was tabled until the October meeting to allow for information about whether other local towns are going to have their parades. A decision will be made then.
Announcements
The next meeting will be October 8, 2020, 7:00 PM at Fire Station 1.
The meeting was adjourned on motion by Annette Cox at 7:55 PM.
Present Not Present
Annette Cox Billy Giddy (with his mother)
Dolores Fort
Greg Reid
Marty Stover
JJ Ivey
Melissa Thomas
Diane Cox
Lisa Morgan
2 guests signed attendance
Respectfully submitted,
Dolores Fort
Secretary
