Board of Trustees                                November 9, 2023 

 
The Board of Trustees for West Blount Fire and Emergency Medical Services District met at Fire Station No. 1 on November 9, 2023, the meeting was opened at 6:00 PM by Marty Stover, Chair, with prayer by Jamie Huffstutler.  Four trustees were present, plus Zac Williams for the Fire Chief, Melissa Thomas, Treasurer, and Christie Moore, Billing Manager, Whitney Eiland,  plus Alex Ferguson and John Converse.  There were no guests.          

The minutes of the October 12, 2023 meeting were accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.  

Financial report – The operating balance for October 2023 was $248,120.47.  Total income was $21,449.62, with dues of $13,868.48.  Total expenses were $103,331.08 with payroll of $31,655.56, repair and maintenance of $6,260.47, insurance of $5,342.50 and truck payment of $44,742.      
     Jamie made a motion, seconded by Mark, to approve the purchase of the truck that was discussed last month.  Motion carried.  
     It was suggested to have a special meeting for the purpose of establishing a policy involving grants and purchase of equipment. 
     The financial report was accepted on motion by Jamie Huffstutler, seconded by Mark Giddy.      

Chief’s Report – Total calls for October were 120, including 9 out-of-area (2 – Mt.  High/Ricetown; 1 – Bangor;  4 – Nectar/Cleveland; 2 – Locust Fort/Dallas/Selfville): 61 medical, 6 structure fire, 10 auto accident, 11 fire alarm, 0 vehicle fire, 14 public service, 14 wild fire, 4 fire other, 0 tree down.  Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 46; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 62; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 9; Sta. 4, Nyota, 3.

The following was also reported:
      The new truck is in the shop getting lights put on 
      The Durango was sold to Dallas Selfville Fire Department for $4000
      The Gator was sold to Murphy’s Valley Fire Department for $2000 
      The ambulance is at Jamie’s shop for paint
       The shed that came from Sta. 2 has been set up behind the station; a door has been purchased and will be installed during Thanksgiving week; electricity will be installed in 2024  
      A letter from ALEA/Homeland Security Grant was presented showing the authorization of the Grant we received in the amount of $44,722 and the conditions under which we are to receive it.

A request was made to have an inventory of all vehicles currently owned by West Blount Fire & EMS District for the January board meeting. 
 
The Chief’s report was accepted on motion by Mark Giddy, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.

Old Business

Billing Update – The attorneys at the end of October had a total of 281 accounts totaling $173,442.49 for collection, with 21 accounts paid in full.  There was a check received from MSN 

West Blount Fire Board – November 9, 2023                            Page 2

(Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) in the amount of $5,177.49 for October collections with totals of $25,135.44 collected in 2023, and $210,791.02 since first turned over to MSN.   There were 2 
new accounts added in October.  There are currently 125 accounts on a payment plan.  There were no exemptions in October, leaving total exemptions for this year at 97 approved, representing dues of $14,550, and 8 denied.  Applications for exemptions are closed until 
January 1, 2024, for the new fiscal year.  Fire dues received in October was $10,519.19 in checks or cash, $3,630 Credit/Debit card plus $205 assessment fees, $553.09 insurance reimbursement and other income of $6,459.59 ($54.99 MSN attorney fees, sale of Durango $4000, sale of Gator $2000.  Total collected for October was $21,411.94 [income from 2022                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
was $11,678.09] and total income for 2023 is $547,091.12.  There are 627 accounts in the system with a balance totaling $301,751.83 as of October 31, 2023, which includes all outstanding dues from the beginning.  So far this year there is 83% participation of dues payment.  As of the end of October there were 2,958 accounts paid in full, 627 with a balance and 3,585 billed to date. 

Third Party Billing – Funds received in October were $553.09, total for the year is $3372.

Blount Springs – no update 

Christmas Dinner – On motion by Jamie Huffstutler, seconded by Mark Giddy, budget for the dinner will be up to $7000.  

Other – Several years ago the fire fighters pooled some money and got a credit card from Traditions bank.  Somehow that account got tied to the department by the bank.  The situation has been corrected and that credit card cancelled.   

New Business – 

Board nomination – Mark Giddy finishes his 5-year term November 30.  On motion by Dolores Fort, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler, Mark was nominated for another 5-year term.  He agreed to serve.  The  nomination will be sent to the county commission for appointment.

Special meeting – There will be a special meeting Monday, November 20, 6:00 PM, for the purpose of establishing policies for the department.   

The next Board meeting will be Thursday, January 11, 2024, 6:00 PM at Fire Station No. 1.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM on motion by Jamie Huffstutler

                         Present                       Not Present                 
Dolores Fort            Melissa Thomas        Danny Smith (conflict)         
Mark Giddy            Christie Moore
Jamie Huffstutler        Whitney Eiland                
Marty Stover            Alex Ferguson    
Zac Williams            John Converse
            
                                               Dolores Fort    
                                               Secretary