Board of Trustees July 11, 2024
The Board of Trustees for West Blount Fire and Emergency Medical Services District met at Fire Station No. 1 on July 11, 2024, the meeting was opened by Marty Stover, Chair, with prayer by Jamie Huffstutler. There were four trustees present, plus JJ Ivey, Chief, Christie Moore, Treasurer, and Stacy Quinn, Billing Manager.
The minutes of the June 20, 2024, meeting were accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.
Financial report – The operating balance for June 2024 was $365,173.78. Total income was $18,662.23, with dues of $17,843.07. Total expenses were $46,211.64 with payroll of $33,706.29, repair and maintenance of $3,760.56. Upcoming known large expenses include insurance of $5,686.75 due August 6, and November 6.
The financial report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.
Chief’s Report – Total calls for June were 121, including 12 out-of-area (3 – Mt. High/Ricetown; 4 – Bangor; 1 – Locust Fort/Dallas-Selfville; 2 – Nectar/Cleveland; Warrior – 1; Garden City - 1): 76 medical, 4 structure fire, 11 auto accident, 2 fire alarm, 0 vehicle fire, 15 public service, 5 wild fire, 2 fire other, 6 tree down. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 62; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 54; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 3; Sta. 4, Nyota, 2.
The following was also reported:
1991 rescue truck is not finished, waiting on parts to rebuild the rear end. It will be picked up Monday and taken to another business
Plans to purchase new rescue truck with money realized from the sale of 1961 tanker reserve and the ladder truck (which will require $1300 to have ladder tested)
Challenge Coins, with West Blount’s station logo, have been purchased
Christie Moore had a heat related incident while on a run, she was taken to the hospital, she is okay. There will be a claim on Worker’s Comp
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.
Old Business
Billing Update – The attorneys at the end of June had 1 account paid in full. There was a check received from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) in the amount of $1,440 84 for June collections, with total received to date of $231.172.11. There was 1 new account added. Fire dues received in June was $9,325.07 in checks or cash, $8,392.51 in Credit/Debit card, $240 dues credit settlement in May but posted in June, plus $175 assessment fees, $85.31 donations. Total collected for June was $18,662.24 [income from June 2023 was $27,756.61]. Total collected for the year was $504,174.61 [income from 2023 was $475,938.38].
There were 3,608 accounts invoiced. There are 2,713 accounts paid in full. At the end of June there are 75.2% of accounts paid in full, compared to 79% in June 2023.
Stacy Quinn is working with MSN to reconcile all collection accounts to date.
Will begin sending the 10-day letters on 7/29/2024.
There was a discussion on liens and what happens when the lien reaches 10 years. This will be brought up again next meeting.
West Blount Fire Board – July 11, 2024 Page 2
Third Party Billing – May and June have been slow months. June 1, 2024 began the new billing model of allowing direct invoices/collections to NON-RESIDENT owners/occupants. There are still a high rate of denials from previous incidents due to parties being covered by “high risk” insurance programs. There was no check received this month. Current claims include: 2 MVAs with no insurance, 3 MVAs where no services were rendered or cancelled en route, and 3 pending responses from insurance companies. There are 4 pending claims, all MVAs: $455.22, $520.26, $455.52, and $3,043.56, which has litigation pending.
Blount Springs – The pressure is getting better, so there has been improvement.
End of Year Recognition Dinner – The date has been set for Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Bonding – A motion was made by Jamie Huffstutler, seconded by Mark Giddy, to move forward with bonding of employees and officers.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM on motion by Jamie Huffstutler.
Present Not Present
Dolores Fort Danny Smith (conflict)
Mark Giddy
Jamie Huffstutler
Marty Stover
JJ Ivey
Christie Moore
Stacy Quinn
Dolores Fort Secretary