2025-01-09 Minutes

                                                                                                                                                                                                Board of Trustees                                                                               January 9, 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 January 9, 2025, the meeting was opened by Jamie Huffstutler, Vice Chair, at 6:20, with prayer by Danny Smith.  All five trustees were present, with Marty Stover on the phone and arriving before the end of the meeting on his way back from out-of-state work, plus  JJ Ivey, Chief, Christie Moore, Treasurer, Stacy Quinn, Billing Manager, and Clay Jones, Asst. Chief.             

 

The minutes of the November 14, 2024, meeting were accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith. 

 

Financial report – The operating balance for December 2024 was $88,689.15.  Total income was $21,743.31, with dues of $15,543.95.  Total expenses were $66,331.61, including payroll of $31,344.56, and repair and maintenance of $11,851.90.    

     The financial report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.      

 

Chief’s Report – Total calls for the 2024 year were 1605, including 140 out-of-area (30 – Mt.  High/Ricetown; 54 – Bangor;  10 – Locust Fort/Dallas-Selfville; 46 – Nectar/Cleveland): 1082 medical, 34 structure fire, 165 auto accident, 85 fire alarm, 29 vehicle fire, 63 public service, 45 wild fire, 10 fire other, 25 tree down.  Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 688; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 782; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 75; Sta. 4, Nyota, 60.   

 

The following was also reported:

Ø  1951 is currently still in the shop

Ø  1952 has an issue with a sensor on compartment door

Ø   Suggestion was made to have Brindlee Mountain service our main apparatus; they will come to the station on a yearly basis; it would cost around $1,400 per vehicle, 5 vehicles, approximate total $7,000 

Ø  Getting vehicles ready for the upcoming winter storm, chains on tires, etc                                                                

      

The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.

 

Old Business

 

Billing Update – There was a check received from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) in the amount of $3,824.22 for December collections, with total received to date of $242.794.67.  There were two accounts added. Fire dues received in December was $11,405.47 in checks or cash, $3,088.50 in Credit/Debit card.  There were also $700 assessment fees, $653.64 insurance reimbursement, $15 donation, and $5,580 Christmas Parade donations. Total collected for December was $21,748.31 [income from December 2023 was $14,305.61]. Total collected for the year was $646,057.32 [income from 2023 was $576,286.52].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

     There were 3,627 accounts invoiced.  There are 2,971 accounts paid in full.  There are 658 accounts with a balance.  At the end of December there are 82% of accounts paid in full, compared to 84% in December 2023.

     A listing of Alabama State Holidays was presented for the purpose of determining which ones would be recognized by West Blount Fire Department.  Of the 18 listed by the state, 6 of those will be recognized by our department and on motion by Marty Stover, seconded by Mark Giddy, the listing will be posted on the door to the office.  The holidays when the office will be

West Blount Fire Board – January 9, 2025                                                         Page 2

 

closed are January 1, New Year’s Day, May 26, National Memorial Day, July 4, Independence Day, September 1, Labor Day, November 27, Thanksgiving, December 25, Christmas.   

     A motion was made by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith, to increase the lien fee to $50.  Motion passed.  This will help to defray the cost of wages, fuel, and postage reimbursement to MSM when liens are filed at the courthouse. After discussion, reimbursement for fuel will be made to those using their own vehicles to deliver the liens to Oneonta.

 

Third Party Billing – There were 12 incidents totaling $16,584.83, of which $1,408.68 was approved for payment and received in January.  Total approved for February payment is $1,356.81.  A sample chart was presented showing disbursement of monies from the program: the department gets 60%, with 20% going to the incentive fund, and 20% firefighter bonus       

 

Christmas Parade – There were two town council members who complained about having to pick up trash after the parade this year.  A detailed listing of all expenses involved with the parade will be compiled to present to the Town Council.

 

Blount Springs – Blount County Water Authority agreed to put in a new meter to replace the non-working one.  Mr. Tullis has a letter from when the current water lines were installed stating that Blount Water would put the system back if there were any problems  Copies of that letter were given to all vested individuals.

 

Correspondence – A letter was received from the Blount County Commission announcing the re-appointment to the Fire Board of Marty Stover for a 5-year term, ending December 2029.

 

End-of-Year Recognition Dinner – The dinner was well attended, the food was very good and the service was excellent.  Dowdle Gas and Pub will be used again.  For the first time in the ten years we have been having these dinners, there were representatives from the Blount County Commission, Chairman Bradley Harvey and Dist. Four Commissioner Nick Washburn.  As well as members of the Hayden Town Council, Mayor Larry Armstrong, Council members Christy Harris, Randy Curtis, Jake Gibbs, Jo Young, and Town Clerk Dana Bradford. And, of course, David and Danna Standridge, as always.  We thank them for their support.    

 

New Business

 

Folding machine – The old letter folding machine is no longer usable.  A motion was made by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith, to purchase a new one for $525.04.  Motion passed.

 

Budget – A budget in the amount of $580,600 was presented.  The 2024 budget was $531,000.  On motion by Marty Stover, seconded by Mark Giddy, the new budget was accepted.

 

Election of Officers – The following slate of officers was nominated and elected:

           Chair – Marty Stover, nominated by Jamie Huffstutler, seconded by Mark Giddy

           Vice Chair – Jamie Huffstutler, nominated by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith

           Secretary – Dolores Fort, nominated by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith    

 

The next board meeting will be Thursday, February 13, 2025, 6:00 PM at Station One.  

 

 

 

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The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM on motion by Mark Giddy.

 

Present                                                               

Dolores Fort                                             

Mark Giddy                                                         

Jamie Huffstutler

Danny Smith

Marty Stover

JJ Ivey

Christie Moore

Stacy Quinn

Clay Jones

 

Several firefighters

 

 

                                                                                                 Dolores Fort                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Secretary