Board of Trustees September 11, 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 September 11, 2025, the meeting was opened at 6:05 PM by Jamie Huffstutler,
Vice Chair, with prayer by Danny Smith. All trustees were present with Marty Stover on the
phone, plus Clay Jones, Chief, Christie Moore, Treasurer, Stacy Quinn, Billing Manager. Two
guests signed the attendance sheet.
Blount Springs Water – Regular order of business was changed to accommodate Gene Persall
of Blount Springs HOA who made a report on what is happening with the water situation in their
community. Mr. Tullis, through an attorney, sent a demand letter to the Blount Water Authority
to repair the system properly. So far there has been no reply. The next step will be arbitration,
which is what is called for in the contract. Over the last couple of months the water pressure
has gone down. The agreement was dated 2003, and it was about 2009 when they started
reporting problems with the water to the Authority, which kept being pushed off. Next Monday,
September 15, they will be filing for arbitration in Birmingham. Houses are being built, but no
additional hydrants are being installed.
The minutes of the August 15, 2025, meeting were accepted on motion by Mark Giddy,
seconded by Danny Smith.
Financial report – The operating balance for August 2025 was $142,490.22. Total income was
$14,326.63, with dues of $7,572.86. Total expenses were $57,194.55, including payroll of
$31,802.63, repair and maintenance of $11,038.70.
The financial report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Chief’s Report – Total calls for August 2025 were 139, including 9 out-of-area (3 – Bangor; 0 –
Corner; 0 – Dallas-Selfville; 1 – Locust Fork; 4 – Mt. High/Ricetown; 1 – Nectar; 0 – Warrior):
87 medical, 12 auto accident; 6 structure fire, 0 wild fire, 0 vehicle fire, 6 fire alarm, 2 fire other,
15 public service, 2 tree down, 0 HAZMAT. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 62; Sta. 2
Smoke Rise, 57; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 5; Sta. 4, Nyota, 6.
The following was also reported:
 Personnel – It was announced that the generous donation, received yearly from a
resident, of $3,000, will be stopping. In its place we will receive $1,000. These funds
were used only for the betterment of the fire fighters, as instructed by the doner.
 Apparatus – 1952 will need tires and an alignment soon, which will be handled by
Goodyear Birmingham
 Building/Maintenance Updates – All ceiling tiles have been replaced at station 1, along
with additional insulation. The moisture issue causing the mold seems to be under
control
 Training – Kaden Bibby is doing well in Recruit School, he will graduate next Friday;
Whitney Eiland send John Converse Jr. a certified letter demanding payment for his
training since he quit before his contract with the department was over. So far there has
been no response. On motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith, the chief was
given approval to proceed with legal action if necessary.
 Grants/Funding – Permission was requested and given to pursue a FEMA/AFG Grant to
purchase PPE at an estimate cost to the department of $10,000 (this includes
department match and grant writing fee.
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
West Blount Fire Board – September 11, 2025 Page 2
Old Business
Billing Update – There was a check in the amount of $983.82 received from MSN (Massey,
Stotser, & Nicholas) for August collections, making a total of $249,750.90 received to date.
There were three new accounts added. Fire dues received in August was $3,492.82 in checks
or cash, $3,555.04 in Credit/Debit card. There were also $100 assessment fees, $4,279.19
insurance reimbursement, $2,020 donations, $424 landfill, $300 MSN fees, and $434.58 other
income. Total collected for August was $14,181.63 [income from August 2024 was $26,384.67].
Total collected for the year was $613.710.87 [income from 2024 was $548,076.25].
There were 3,647 accounts invoiced. There are 2,790 accounts paid in full. There are 857
accounts with a balance. At the end of August there are 77% of accounts paid in full, compared
to 77% in August 2024.
By November 3 the new billing system will be ready for use.
Third Party Billing – Payments received this month were $3,853,92, making a total of
$25,179.45 for 2025. There are 19 invoices in Que, 4 approved awaiting payout of payment.
Out of this money between 30 to 40 special traffic vests were purchased. These will be an
added protection to our fire fighters when working wrecks on the road by adding visibility of
them.
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New Business
Hayden Christmas Parade – The date will be Tuesday, December 2. Some local businesses
have already volunteered sponsorship, and there is work going on with Don Mitchell for
additional funding.
Year-End Recognition Dinner – The date was set for Saturday, December 13, 6:00 PM, to be
held at West Blount Axe Throwing.
Mt. High Fire Department – We have been informed by their board that they are not interested in
moving on with this project.
Grant Writing – Approval was requested to write a AFG Grant for 2026 in the amount of $70,000
for turn-out gear, which would provide for the whole department. Mark Giddy made a motion,
seconded by Danny Smith, to proceed with the project. Motion carried
Traffic Control – In response to a complaint call received from a local resident about an accident
that happened on Hwy 160 and Sibleyville Road that caused a long delay in resuming traffic:
First, it is not the responsibility of the fire department to handle such a job, however they will
assist as a courtesy to law enforcement. This was not in the jurisdiction of the Hayden Police
Department, therefore State Troopers were responsible. This particular accident involved 3
vehicles and 5 patients, covered by 3 fire fighters. The responsibility of those fire fighters was to
the 5 patients.
The next board meeting will be Thursday, October 9, 2025, 6:00 PM at Station One.
The meeting was adjourned on motion by Mark Giddy at 7:15 PM.
West Blount Fire Board – September 11, 2025 Page 3
Present
Dolores Fort
Mark Giddy
Jamie Huffstutler
Danny Smith
Marty Stover (by phone)
Clay Jones
Christie Moore
Stacy Quinn
Gene Persall, Blount Springs HOA
Christy Harris, Hayden Council member
Dolores Fort
Secretary