Board of Trustees October 08, 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 October 08, 2020, the meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Dolores Fort, secretary. Three Trustees were present plus JJ Ivey, Fire Chief, Melissa Thomas, Treasurer, and Diane Cox, Billing Manager.
The minutes of the September 9, 2020 meeting were accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Billy Giddy..
Financial report – The operating balance for August was $351,035.31. Total receipts were $15,474.09, including dues of $13,858.83. Total expenses were $40,710.96, including payroll of $25,790.54 and maintenance and repair of $3,947.83. Upcoming known large expenses due November 6 are insurance premiums of $3,166.50 and $1,220.50.
The Financial Report was accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Billy Giddy.
Chief’s Report
Total calls for August were 114 (plus 5 out-of-area calls: 1 Mt. High/Ricetown; 4 Nectar/ Cleveland): 64 medical, 2 structure fire, 13 auto accidents, 4 fire alarms, 1 vehicle fire, 22 public service, 2 wild fire, 6 fire other, 0 911 hang-up. Breakdown by fire station: Sta. 1, Hayden – 46; Sta. 2, Smoke Rise – 60; Sta. 3, Sugar Creek 5; Sta. 4, Nyota – 3.
Other items reported include:
The FEMA grant for a new truck was turned down
Still working on the EMS grant
Received a $170,000 grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which will be used to purchase 3 cardiac monitors and 3 CPR devices as well as COVID-19 related disposable EMS supplies
Locust Fork Riverkeepers would like to paint a mural on the east side of Station 3. They will be invited to next month’s meeting
A water line at Station 3 is not working; it is estimated to take $300 to replace it
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Billy Giddy.
Old Business
Billing Update – At the end of September there were 9 total CLA’s (conditional lien agreements) on file, 6 have been paid in full, and 3 were sent to MSN for non-payment.. The attorneys have a total of 233 accounts, 2 paid in full, and 5 accounts added, and 213 have liens. We received a check from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) for $1,486.33 in September, total collected so far in 2020 $23,562.24, making total collected from MSN since 2018 of $68,556.28. There were 12 new accounts added in August. There were 2 new exemptions approved, making total exemptions for the year of 128, and 5 denied for the year. Fire dues received in September was $13,588.83, plus $270 assessment fees, and $1570 other ($1550 was reimbursement from Rookie Training School, 2 students returned their allotted tuition), totaling $15,428.83 (2019 total at the same time was $13,144.33). [Total collected for 2020 is $496,844.56.] There are 768 accounts in the system with a balance totaling $289,748.80, which includes all outstanding dues from the beginning. There are 3,723 total accounts in the system. So far this year there has
Fire District Board of Trustees – October 08, 2020 page 2
been 79% participation for payment of fire dues. There were 403 bills sent out on September 30, and there are 83 certified letters ready to be mailed at a cost of over $180.
Year-End Dinner –Dolores Fort, the dissenting vote at the previous meeting, requested the event be reconsidered. She feels there is a way that we can have the dinner and still be safe, limit the attendance to firefighters and board members and their families and have it at Station 1. Her reasoning being that our firefighters sacrifice a lot during the year and they deserve to have this recognition. She asked that it be put on the agenda for the November meeting when all board members would be present to reconsider the previous vote and make the final decision.
Christmas Parade – There was a unanimous decision of those present to proceed with the Parade on December 1st. West Blount Chamber has already stated that they will assist financially if any additional lights are needed. It is not yet known what participation, if any, will be provided by the Town of Hayden. The route will be the same as last year, lineup to begin at 5:30 behind the Primary School, with the parade to begin at 7:00 PM. Volunteers will be needed for assistance with the lineup. There will be no registration of entrants, mainly because it hasn’t worked in the past. And no animals are to be allowed in the parade.
New Business - none
Announcements
The next meeting will be November 12, 2020, 7:00 PM at Fire Station 1.
The meeting was adjourned on motion by Annette Cox at 7:25 PM.
Present Not Present
Annette Cox Greg Reid (out of state)
Dolores Fort Marty Stover (work)
Billy Giddy Lisa Morgan
JJ Ivey
Melissa Thomas
Diane Cox
3 guests signed attendance
Respectfully submitted,
Dolores Fort
Secretary
