-Board of Trustees                                June 9, 2022
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 9, 2022, the meeting began at 6:22 PM led by Greg Reid, Chair.  All trustees were present, plus JJ Ivey, Chief, Melissa Thomas, Treasurer, and Diane Cox and Kimberly Williams, Billing Managers.        

The minutes of the April 14, 2022, meeting were accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Marty Stover.

Financial report – Financial statements were presented for both April and May 2022.  The operating balance for May 2022 was $511,870.31.  Total income was $38,169.33, with dues of $29,813.61.  Total expenses were $45,799.80 with payroll of $27,665.46 and maintenance and repair of $6,630.62.  The report was accepted on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Marty Stover.      

Chief’s Report

Total calls for April were 97, including 10 out-of-area (4 – Mt. High / Ricetown; 2 – Bangor; 2 – Locust Fork / Dallas/Selfville; 2 Nectar / Cleveland): 62 medical, 5 structure fire, 17 auto accident, 5 fire alarm, 1 vehicle fire, 5 public service, 2 fire other.  Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 47; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 39; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 10; Sta. 4 Nyota, 1.  Total calls for May were 122, including 12 out-of-area (6 – Mt. High / Ricetown; 1 – Bangor; 3 – Locust Fork; 1 – Dallas/Selfville; 1 – Nectar / Cleveland): 72 medical, 4 structure fire, 14 auto accident, 9 fire alarm, 1 vehicle fire, 19 public service, 1 wild fire, 2 fire other.  Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 54; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 60, Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 8; Sta. 4 Nyota, 0.   

Also reported:
    The cost of the UTV has increased to $18,500, currently found a used one at Blount County Tractor in Oneonta for $14,500
    Brush Truck is currently being built and should be finished soon
    The new engine was due in July, but is currently being delayed
    Blount EMS is currently struggling.  The grant received for salaries has run out.  Marshall County is paying $60,000 per year, Blount workers have left for Marshall County.  Warrior is also struggling.  There is a conflict with the 911 Board.

The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Dolores Fort, seconded by Annette Cox.   

Old Business

Billing Update – The attorneys at the end of May have a total of 228 accounts, four paid in full and one added.  A check for $1,565 from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) was received for May collections, making a total of $11,456.53 collected in 2022, and $118,634.93 since first turned over to MSN.   There were eight new accounts added in May.  Fire dues received in May was $22,068.96 in checks, $6,947.33 Credit/Debit card and $243.28 fees), plus $555 assessment fees, and other income of $5,158.76, consisting of $700 insurance reimbursement, $1,958.76 State of AL grant and $2,500 Blount County Health, totaling $34,972.37 [income from May 2021 was $19,616.02].  Total collected for 2022 is $471,225.08.  There are 964 accounts in the system with a balance totaling $365,014.42 at the end of May, which includes all

West Blount Fire Board – June 9, 2022                            Page 2

outstanding dues from the beginning.  (156 accounts paid in May.)  So far this year, there is 73% participation.

On May 20 statements were sent to 802 accounts, of which 126 owed for two years and were sent a 30-day letter, twelve account had assessments, three are waiting for exemption approval, leaving 661 accounts that are on a payment plan or owe for one year.

Personnel – A letter was received from Lisa Morgan submitting her resignation effective June 17.

Kimberley Williams was introduced as the new Billing Manager to replace Diane Cox.  Diane is willing to serve as a backup when needed, especially at peak billing times.  She will stay as an employee in the payroll program.  The following hours were proposed:  Work hours for Kimberley will be 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, five days a week for a 35-hour work week.  Office hours will remain the same, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  The above proposal was approved on motion by Annette Cox, seconded by Marty Stover.

Monthly and yearly duties and responsibilities for the billing manager were submitted and accepted.

New Business

The July 4th celebration is a go.  The department will provide ice cream again this year.  Last year we provided 400 cups and ran out; this year we will provide 500 cups.  Marty will contact a friend with a refrigerated truck.

Announcements – The next Board meeting will be Thursday, July 14, 2022, 6:00 PM at Fire Station No. 1.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 on motion by Annette Cox.

 
Present                                                
Annette Cox
Dolores Fort            
Mark Giddy
Greg Reid
Marty Stover
JJ Ivey                    
Melissa Thomas            
Diane Cox
Kimberly Williams    

                
There were no guests

                        Dolores Fort     
                        Secretary