Board of Trustees July 14, 2022
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 July 14, 2022, the meeting began at 6:01 PM led by Greg Reid, Chair. Four trustees were present, plus Clay Jones, Assistant Chief, Melissa Thomas, Treasurer, and Kimberly Williams and Diane Cox, Billing Managers.
The minutes of the June 9, 2022, meeting were accepted on motion by Marty Stover, seconded by Mark Giddy.
Financial report – The operating balance for June 2022 was $482,783.18. Total income was $24,751.42, with dues of $23,397.93. Total expenses were $53,838.55 with payroll of $29,080.63 and new UTV of $14,609.02. The report was accepted on motion by Marty Stover, seconded by Mark Giddy.
Chief’s Report
Total calls for June were 108, including 8 out-of-area (2 – Bangor; 3 – Locust Fork / Dallas/Selfville; 3 Nectar / Cleveland): 60 medical, 5 structure fire, 9 auto accident, 9 fire alarm, 13 public service, 1 wild fire, 2 fire other, 1 tree down. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 52; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 45; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 6; Sta. 4 Nyota, 5.
Also reported:
The new engine has not yet been started; difficulty getting the chassis. There is a clause in the contract that if the engine is not completed by the agreed date, they will have to pay $150 per day for each past due date.
The new boat has been put on Mountain Woods Lake and is being used for training purposes
We will be hosting a class at the station from August 1st to 5th for driver training for getting a state license to drive fire engines. Class times are Monday 9:00 to 6:00, Tuesday through Thursday 8:00 to 5:00.
Life Guard, an ambulance company, has bid on the ambulance contract for Blount County, they are the only bidder so far.
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Marty Stover, seconded by Mark Giddy.
Old Business
Billing Update – The attorneys at the end of June have a total of 224 accounts, four paid in full. A check for $3,219 67 from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) was received for June collections, making a total of $14,676.20 collected in 2022, and $121,854.60 since first turned over to MSN. There was one new account added in June. Fire dues received in June was $20,663.00 in checks, $2,425 Credit/Debit card and $84.93 fees, plus $225 assessment fees, and other income of $1,292.76, Fire & Rescue Billing Consultant, totaling $24,689.93 [income from June 2021 was $20,270.05]. Total collected for 2022 is $495,915.01. There are 852 accounts in the system with a balance totaling $340,327.42 at the end of June, which includes all outstanding dues from the beginning. So far this year, there is 76% participation of dues payment. As of June 30 there were 2,712 accounts paid in full, 852 with a balance.
West Blount Fire Board – July 14, 2022 Page 2
On June 30 ten-day letters were sent to 99 accounts owing for more than one year. Any unpaid accounts will be sent to collections next month.
July 4th Celebration – Mayfield gave the department a variety of ice cream products to give away on the 4th, totaling over 1000 pieces of ice cream. With the money saved for not having to purchase ice cream, a chest freezer was purchased, which was used on the 4th to hold the ice cream. The freezer is at Station 1.
New Business
The building on Smoke Rise Trail that has housed Blount EMS ambulances, belongs to Blount EMS, which means that Life Guard will not be able to use that building. It was suggested to offer Station 3 as a place for the ambulance to be stationed at this end of the county. The offer will be made to the new carrier to see if there is any interest in a deal being made.
Announcements – The next Board meeting will be Thursday, August 11, 2022, 6:00 PM at Fire Station No. 1.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:29 PM on motion by Marty Stover.
Present Not Present
Dolores Fort Annette Cox
Mark Giddy JJ Ivey
Greg Reid
Marty Stover
Clay Jones
Melissa Thomas
Kimberly Williams
Diane Cox
There were no guests
Dolores Fort
Secretary