Board of Trustees June 12, 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 June 12, 2025, the meeting was opened by Marty Stover, Chair, at 6:10pm, with prayer by Jamie Huffstutler. Trustees present were Marty Stover, Jamie Huffstutler and Mark Giddy. Danny Smith made arrangements for Marty Stover to act as his proxy in his absence. Dolores Fort was unable to be present. Others in attendance were Fire Chief Clay Jones and Christie Moore, Treasurer.
Minutes
Minutes of the May 8, 2025, meeting were accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.
Financial report
The operating balance for May 2025 was $175,763.61. Total income was $50,983.60, with dues of $31,446.57. Total expenses were $39,792.10, including payroll of $29,090.96, and repair and maintenance of $1,474.19.
The financial report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.
Chief’s Report
Total calls year-to-date for 2025 are 728. For the month of May we had 11 out-of-area (3 – Mt. High/Ricetown; 8 – Bangor; 0 – Locust Fort/Dallas-Selfville; 0 – Nectar/Cleveland): 74 medical, 3 structure fire, 14 auto accident, 12 fire alarm, 0 vehicle fire, 15 public service, 1 wildfire, 3 fire other, 10 tree down. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 63; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 62; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 5; Sta. 4, Nyota, 2.
The following was also reported:
Ø 1992 F-350 Rescue truck was sold using Brindlee Mountain as a broker. It sold for $65,000. Brindlee Mountain received a check for $6,500 for the commission.
Ø The Explorer was sold to Ricetown VFD for $1,500.
Ø Chose not to move forward with transitioning payroll to ADP. Spoke with ASURE and made a deal to stay with them as the payroll service with Webb managing.
Ø Funding received for both stations from both insurance companies to complete the repairs for Station 1 and Station 2. Tentative start date is the week of June 16th.
Ø Volunteer Fire Fighter 160 has been completed with a 100% pass rate for all who completed the course in its entirety. Another HAZ-MAT class will be scheduled for late July and early August.
Ø Sending 2 to recruit school starting in August.
Ø Chief Jones and Christie will be working on giving “asset numbers” to all fixed assets including but not limited to apparatus, office equipment, fire equipment, etc.
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.
Old Business
Billing Update – There was a check received from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) in the amount of $680.67 for April collections, with total received to date of $247,737.84. There were no new accounts added. Fire dues received in May were $20,137.30 in checks or cash, $11,309.27 in Credit/Debit card. There were also $700 assessment fees, $17,831.04 (including insurance check for station 2) insurance reimbursement, $135 donation, and $450.99 checking interest. Total collected for May was $50,563.60 [income from May 2025 was $36,122.93]. Total collected for year-to-date was $469,558.87 [income from 2024 was $448,181.77]. There were 3,637 accounts invoiced. There are 2,6281 accounts paid in full. There are 1009 accounts with a balance. At the end of May 72% of accounts are paid in full, which was the same for May 2024.
30-day letters went out at the end of May for anyone with a past due balance of more than $165.00 advising that the account will go to collections if payment arrangements aren’t made. We will start 10-day letters the first week of July for those that have still not paid towards their outstanding balance.
Third Party Billing – Total payments received for 2025 YTD is $19,021.53. There are 12 invoices in Que awaiting approval for payment. We received a payment of $3,293.43 in May for prior month invoices and a payment of $887.25 for May invoices.
4th of July – Marty will pick-up ice cream 6-27-25 from Mayfield Dairy. Zac Williams offered to donate his chest freezer as an additional freezer for the fire district.
Blount Springs – BCWA put in 3” main rather than the 6” main and stated they did a pressure test that resulted in 310psi. Chief Jones followed up with a pressure test today which resulted in 240psi. Blount Springs Village association will begin litigation against BCWA soon.
New Business
Blount County Communications District – Blount County Communications District Board of Directors voted to switch radio systems to VHF/LTE Southern Link. The purchase cost to upgrade our radios for compliance to include 4 radios for 4 frontline personnel, and 8 handhelds is $2,830. This is anticipated to happen within 60-90 days.
Motion made by Mark Giddy to accept, seconded by Danny Smith – by proxy Marty Stover.
Updating Retirement Package – matching up to 4% with annual cap at $14,000 which will be handled through payroll. This cost does not include set up or clerical fees. To begin September 2025.
Motion made by Mark Giddy to accept, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.
Town Council Meeting – The Town Council of Hayden voted on a town ordinance that requires life safety 101/fire safety inspections to be performed by the fire inspector prior to business license issuance or renewal.
Cell Phone Stipend for Chief and Assistant Chief – Agreed to pay $720 annually to Chief Jones and Assistant Chief Williams for a cell phone stipend to be paid by check.
Motion made by Mark Giddy to accept, seconded by Danny Smith – by proxy Marty Stover.
Mt. High Fire Department – requested a meeting to discuss the possibility of them joining the West Blount Fire District. Date and time TBD.
Additional Check Signor – adding Jamie Huffstutler to the checking account to be an additional signor. Two signatures are required for all checks. Current signors are Christie Moore, Treasurer, Dolores Fort, Secretary and Marty Stover, Chair.
The next board meeting will be Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Station 1.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM on motion by Jamie Huffstutler, seconded by Mark Giddy.
Present :
Mark Giddy
Jamie Huffstutler
Marty Stover
Christie Moore
Clay Jones
--Christie Moore