Board of Trustees November 12, 2020
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 November 12, 2020, the meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Greg Reid, Chair, with opening prayer led by Billy Giddy. All Trustees were present plus JJ Ivey, Fire Chief, Melissa Thomas, Treasurer, and Diane Cox and Lisa Morgan, Billing Managers.
The minutes of the October 8, 2020 meeting were accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Marty Stover.
Financial report – The operating balance for August was $319,230.97. Total receipts were $14,864.77, including dues of $14,666.15. Total expenses were $47,742.78, including payroll of $26,262.88, maintenance and repair of $5,428.28, insurance of $4,387, and worker’s comp of $3,508.
The Financial Report was accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Marty Stover.
Chief’s Report
Total calls for October were 124 (plus 10 out-of-area calls: 1 Bangor; 8 Nectar/ Cleveland, 1 Warrior): 49 medical, 3 structure fire, 18 auto accidents, 2 fire alarms, 1 vehicle fire, 28 public service, 4 wild fire, 2 fire other, 7 downed tree, 0 911 hang-up. Breakdown by fire station: Sta. 1, Hayden – 50; Sta. 2, Smoke Rise – 66; Sta. 3, Sugar Creek 5; Sta. 4, Nyota – 3.
Other items reported include:
Still working on the grant issues
There are septic issues at Station 1
The 62 tanker has a bad leak, it will be taken to the shop in December to fix and seal the tank
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Marty Stover, seconded by Annette Cox.
Old Business
Billing Update – At the end of October there were 9 total CLA’s (conditional lien agreements) on file, none were paid off.. The attorneys have a total of 230 accounts, 3 were paid in full. We received a check from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) for $2,047.65 in October, total collected so far in 2020 $25,609.89, making total collected from MSN since 2018 of $70,603.93. There were 4 new accounts added in October. There was 1 new exemption approved, making total exemptions for the year of 129, and 5 denied for the year. Fire dues received in October was $14,666.15, plus $135 assessment fees, and $20 donation totaling $14,821.15 (2019 total at the same time was $13,230.75). [Total collected for 2020 is $511,665.71.] There are 700 accounts in the system with a balance totaling $273,718.99, which includes all outstanding dues from the beginning. There are 3,727 total accounts in the system. So far this year there has
been 81% participation for payment of fire dues. Of the 83 certified letters about half have been received back.
Christmas Parade – After discussion concerning the increase in COVID cases in Blount County and the Hayden area, a motion was made by Greg Reid, seconded by Annette Cox to cancel this year’s Hayden Christmas Parade. Motion passed on a vote of 4 to 1.
Fire District Board of Trustees – November 12, 2020 page 2
Year-End Dinner – Dolores Fort suggested a change of venue and guest list for the year-end dinner: have it at Station 1 with only firefighters, board members and their families present. This would give the board an opportunity to recognize the work accomplished by our department, show our support for them, and let them know how much they are appreciated. Dolores Fort moved, seconded by Marty Stover, to hold the dinner on Friday, December 4th, 7:00 PM at Station 1. Motion passed.
New Business
Station 3 Mural – Dinah Wilson, member of Friends of the Locust Fork River, made a presentation about a project sponsored by the FLFR, placing murals throughout Blount County to promote ecotourism. Two have been completed already, one each in Cleveland and Oneonta. They would like to place one at Station 3 because it is in a highly visible location on Highway 160. The theme is Rivers, Enjoyment, Nature, Blount County is Awesome by Nature. The goal is to inspire folks to take care of and enjoy Blount County, to build a sense of pride in our river and streams, and the surrounding ecosystem. The painter will be Amy Seiber, Hayden High School Art teacher, who will be assisted by Merilee Challiss. Several pictures were distributed as examples of what has been done at other locations. A copy of the Mural Painting Agreement was left with the board.
Station 3 has just recently had a major upgrade to the building with new outdoor siding, in addition to indoor improvements. Concerns were raised about painting over this new siding. It was suggested that we might be able to get a piece of metal that the mural could be painted on, and then attach to the building. Marty Stover will get a sample to give to the painter to do a sample picture. If that is a possibility, then we will get the same type of metal for attaching to the side of the building.
Announcements
The next meeting will be January 14, 2021, 7:00 PM at Fire Station 1.
The meeting was adjourned on motion by Annette Cox at 7:50 PM.
Present
Annette Cox
Dolores Fort
Billy Giddy
Greg Reid
Marty Stover
JJ Ivey
Melissa Thomas
Diane Cox
Lisa Morgan
5 guests signed attendance
Respectfully submitted,
Dolores Fort
Secretary
