Board of Trustees August 8, 2024
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 August 8, 2024, the meeting was opened by Marty Stover, Chair, with prayer by Danny Smith. All trustees present, plus Clay Jones, Asst. Chief, Christie Moore, Treasurer, and Stacy Quinn, Billing Manager. Chief JJ Ivey was unable to attend.
The minutes of the July 11, 2024, meeting were accepted with one correction on motion by Jamie Huffstutlder, seconded by Mark Giddy: Chief’s report, change vehicle 1961 to 1964 tanker that will be sold.
Financial report – The operating balance for July 2024 was $325,379.56. Total income was $17,476.98, with dues of $14,382.46. Total expenses were $57,271.20 with payroll of $31,733.53, repair and maintenance of $8,229.86. Upcoming known large expenses include insurance of $5,686.75 due November 6. Work is continuing with the break-down of expenses into categories. A spreadsheet was provided with a summary of the numbers from the beginning of the year.
The financial report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Chief’s Report – Total calls for July were 144, including 10 out-of-area (2 – Mt. High/Ricetown; 5 – Bangor; 1 – Locust Fort/Dallas-Selfville; 2 – Nectar/Cleveland): 87 medical, 6 structure fire, 11 auto accident, 4 fire alarm, 1 vehicle fire, 15 public service, 2 wild fire, 15 fire other, 3 tree down. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 60; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 69; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 8; Sta. 4, Nyota, 7.
The following was also reported:
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The Challenge Coins are available, each board member received some
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1991 is back in service (parts were purchased in May from Mark Nunn through Ford): labor was $1,000, additional parts needed $800, total $1,800 for final repair. Total cost of repair was $6,000 for all new rear differential. There is a class action law suit against Ford for manufacturer’s defect.
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Money from a regular donor will be used this year for 3 volunteers rookie school tuition
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Values on the two vehicles being offered for sale came back: 1964 (off-road tanker) between $15,000 and $25,000; 1971 (ladder truck, ladder tested and passed) between $20,000 and $25,000. Proceeds from sale of these 2 vehicles could range between $35,000 and $50,000. Both values could be more depending on the buyers.
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Forestry money received $2,000. This money comes from the state to all volunteer or mostly volunteer fire departments to be used for areas involving forestry
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Old Business
Billing Update – The attorneys at the end of July had 2 accounts paid in full. There was a check received from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) in the amount of $2,174.50 for July collections, with total received to date of $233.346.61. No new accounts were added. Fire dues received in July was $9,846.47 in checks or cash, $4,435.99 in Credit/Debit card, $40 dues credit settlement in June but posted in July, plus $150 assessment fees, $3,040 donations. Total
West Blount Fire Board – August 8, 2024 Page 2
collected for July was $17,516.97 [income from July 2023 was $15,861.97]. Total collected for the year was $521,691.58 [income from 2023 was $492,800.35].
There were 3,608 accounts invoiced. There are 2,736 accounts paid in full. At the end of July there are 76% of accounts paid in full, compared to 79% in July 2023.
Stacy Quinn is continuing her work with MSN to reconcile all collection accounts to date.
Options for postage were presented, one being the purchase of a box of window, self-seal, pre-postage envelopes at a cost of $425. Another option was renting a postage machine. This issue will be brought up at the next meeting.
Third Party Billing – July was another slow month, it was also the first month where the actual individual was billed after the insurance company denied the claim. Current claims include 2 accidents with no insurance, 3 accidents where no services were rendered or cancelled in route, and 3 pending responses from insurance companied. There are 4 pending claims in the amounts of $455.22, $520.26, $455.52, and $3,043.56, which has litigation pending.
The direct billing of the individual is only for those involved who live outside of our coverage area. For area residents involved in accidents who do not pay fire dues, they will not receive a fire report of the accident, which is needed for claims to the insurance company.
New Business
Regular order of business was dispensed with to welcome Greg Reid, former board chair, who gave some history as to how we got to where we are. A question was raised about auditing the department’s books. Do we need an independent auditor? It is not required by the state. Does Form 990 need to be completed by a CPA? No, that is not necessary. The questions were raised in order to guarantee that we would be covered in case of any legal action. Greg suggested that we contact Lori Criswell, CPA, to see what she offers, if we need her services, and how much those services would cost. Dolores Fort knows her, she will contact her to come to the next board meeting. Greg was thanked for being with us and sharing his knowledge and perspective on our department.
Return to Old Business
Blount Springs – There was a meeting with Jeff Carter, Manager of Blount Water. There will be another meeting October 8 with the entire water board to present the engineer’s report. Blount Water serves Top Hat and 3 houses on 31 in addition to Blue Hole.
Bonding – Chris Edwards has had health issues so nothing has been done at this time. Hopefully we should have the information at next month’s meeting.
Late Fee Policy - A draft was presented for information. Clay Jones will reword the policy and present it for approval next meeting.
Christmas Parade – This year the parade will be more structured. There will be a flatbed stage where Shane Thomas will announce the floats. Darian Craig will be the Grand Marshal. Judges for the floats will be Larry Armstrong, Darian Craig, Shane Thomas, and Philip Bremmerman. Half, maybe all of the tower lights will be donated. Sponsors, in any amount, from the community will be requested. Their name will be prominently displayed along the parade route. This sponsorship money will be used to help pay for off-duty law enforcement, with the hope that there will be enough to pay the firefighters for the time they spend on their off time.
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Money – Ways to increase our bottom line financially were presented. The cost of everything is continuing to increase. At present we are able to keep a viable amount in the account, but with increased costs, and pressure to provide better wages for our fire fighters, the amount coming in will not keep up with rising costs. Pam Yeager, Vice President at Traditions Bank, provided information on CD’s and types of interest bearing checking accounts.
There was also talk of obtaining a new credit card, one that will offer benefits.
These items will be discussed next month .
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM on motion by Mark Giddy.
Present Not Present
Dolores Fort JJ Ivey
Mark Giddy
Jamie Huffstutler
Danny Smith
Marty Stover
Clay Jones
Christie Moore
Stacy Quinn
Dolores Fort Secretary