Board of Trustees August 10, 2023
The Board of Trustees for West Blount Fire and Emergency Medical Services District met at Fire Station No. 1 on August 10, 2023, the meeting was opened at 6:00 PM by Marty Stover, Chair, with prayer by Danny Smith. Four trustees were present, plus JJ Ivey, Fire Chief, Melissa Thomas, Treasurer, and Stacy Quinn and Christie Moore, Billing Managers. There were no guests.
The minutes of the July 13, 2023 meeting were accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Financial report – The operating balance for July 2023 was $427,513.16. Total income was $15,919.30, with dues of $11,529. Total expenses were $49,559.22 with payroll of $33,040.43, and repair and maintenance of $4,429.27.
The financial report was accepted on motion by Danny Smith, seconded by Mark Giddy.
Chief’s Report
Total calls for July were 127, including 13 out-of-area (2 – Mt. High/Ricetown; 8 – Bangor; 2 – Nectar/Cleveland; 1 – Locust Fort/Dallas/Selfville): 72 medical, 3 structure fire, 8 auto accident, 7 fire alarm, 2 vehicle fire, 18 public service, 1 wild fire, 5 fire other, 11 tree down. Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 55; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 63; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 7; Sta. 4, Nyota, 2.
The following was also reported:
Renovation at Sta. 2 done in-house, has been framed, insulation will be done next week
Hired one full time and one part time fire fighter
The building has been moved from Sta. 2, the contractor has not come back to complete the job
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Danny Smith.
Old Business
Billing Update – The attorneys at the end of July had a total of 310 accounts totaling $182,617.49 for collection. There was a check received from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) in the amount of $518.50 for July collections with totals of $13,646.47 collected in 2023, and $185,655.58 since first turned over to MSN. No new accounts were added in July. There are currently 133 accounts on a payment plan. There were no exemptions in July, leaving total exemptions for this year at 97 approved, representing dues of $14,550, and 8 denied. Applications for exemptions are closed as of April 13, 2023 until January 1, 2024 for the new fiscal year. Fire dues received in July was $5,669 in checks or cash, $3,505 04 Credit/Debit card, plus $330 assessment fees, and other income of $1,099.80 insurance reimbursement, $233.13 grant from Blount County Health, and $3,000 personal donation for the purpose of purchasing something for the fire fighters (four recliners were purchased). Total collected for July was $13,796.97 [income from 2022 was $21,630.80] and total income for 2023 is $490,735.35. There are 723 accounts in the system with a balance totaling $338,809.50 as of July 31, 2023, which includes all outstanding dues from the beginning. So far this year there is 80% participation of dues payment. As of the end of July there were 2,852 accounts paid in full, 723 with a balance and 3,575 billed as of the end of June.
West Blount Fire Board – August 10, 2023 Page 2
Will Summers with Edgewire has been contacted about a new billing system. He indicated that we can set up a Network Server so that FDARS can be placed on a laptop and all changes will reflect on both the PC and laptop. The cost for this would be $1,200. Mr. Funderburg has been notified, and Mr. Summers has been given his contact information. Mr. Funderburg has not given any timeline as to when the transfer can happen. Programs are still being investigated to find the best fit for our situation and the possible cost. It is believed that this transition will not happen quickly, and that the 2024 billing cycle will need to go through the FDARS system, then begin the transition May or June of 2024.
Third Party Billing – We received a check (for the month of July) in the amount of $1,332.
Blount Springs – No report
Website – The website is up and running. Tim Frye, our web coordinator, now has info on our department, including job applications, station locations, and Facebook address. Pictures are being gathered for posting. Courtney has posted the web address on the Facebook page: westblountfire.org.
Christmas Dinner – Gary Palmer was at a Gardendale Chamber luncheon this afternoon. He was approached by Dolores Fort about him receiving an invitation. He was open to the suggestion, and his assistant, Ethan Vice, was told. An email will be sent for confirmation of the invitation.
New Business
Grant for Volunteer Fire Departments – David Standridge is working on a bill to present to the Legislature for Volunteer Departments to apply for a grant for a specific project. We are looking into the possibility of getting RSA pension for our fire fighters, our share would be 8%, employees share would be 6%.
Hayden Day – The first Saturday, October 7, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM is designated as Hayden Day. We will be in attendance and have give-aways for the kids.
The next Board meeting will be Thursday, September 14, 2023, 6:00 PM at Fire Station No. 1.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM on motion by Mark Giddy.
Present Not Present
Dolores Fort Jamie Huffstutler
Mark Giddy
Danny Smith
Marty Stover
JJ Ivey
Melissa Thomas
Stacy Quinn
Christie Moore
Dolores Fort
Secretary