Board of Trustees                                September 14, 2023 

 
The Board of Trustees for West Blount Fire and Emergency Medical Services District met at Fire Station No. 1 on September 14, 2023, the meeting was opened at 6:00 PM by Marty Stover, Chair, with prayer by Danny Smith.  All 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 August 10, 2023 meeting were accepted on motion by Danny Smith, seconded by Jamie Huffstutler.  

Financial report – The operating balance for August 2023 was $358,207.53.  Total income was $12,686.07, with dues of $7,303.98.  Total expenses were $81,991.70 with payroll of $28,142.81, repair and maintenance of $2,462.31, and extraction equipment of $32,460.      
     The financial report was accepted on motion by Danny Smith, seconded by Mark Giddy.      

Chief’s Report – Total calls for August were 176, including 10 out-of-area (1 – Mt. High/Ricetown; 1 – Bangor;  0 – Nectar/Cleveland; 0 – Locust Fort/Dallas/Selfville; 1 – Cullman): 93 medical, 1 structure fire, 18 auto accident, 5 fire alarm, 3 vehicle fire, 40 public service, 0 wild fire, 16 fire other, 0 tree down.  Breakdown by station = Sta. 1 Hayden, 81; Sta. 2 Smoke Rise, 77; Sta. 3 Sugar Creek, 9; Sta. 4, Nyota, 9.

The following was also reported:
    Sheet rock has been completed at Sta. 2, close to being complete 
    The Town of Hayden voted to give $2,500 for the Christmas Parade, this will help with rental of lights for the parade route 
    The entrance road to the Chesapeake subdivision is under construction and a temporary entrance has been made which is not suitable for fire trucks to pass over, therefore, a tanker has been parked above the construction site to guarantee protection if there should be a need
    Expenses for the 1991 engine are expected to be higher than anticipated, it is an over-weight truck, needs bigger springs and larger tires; looking to replace with a new vehicle for between $40,000 to $50,000.     
    Purchase of a 3/4 ton pickup is also under consideration, checking through state bid for both vehicles.  A presentation on both will be made next month.  

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 August had a total of 311 accounts totaling $180,909.05 for collection, with 5 accounts paid in full.  There was a check received from MSN (Massey, Stotser, & Nicholas) in the amount of $2,931.97 for August collections with totals of $13,578.44 collected in 2023, and $202,234.02 since first turned over to MSN.   There were 2 new accounts added in August.  There are currently 139 accounts on a payment plan.  There were no exemptions in August, 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 August was $2,686.51 in checks or cash, $4,247.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            76 Credit/Debit card and fees, plus $320 assessment fees, and other income of
West Blount Fire Board – September 14, 2023                            Page 2

$390 insurance reimbursement, $500.29 Landfill, $20 personal donation, $900 sale of boat, and $54.99 MSN collection fee.  Total collected for August was $9,119.85 [income from 2022 was $21,630.80] and total income for 2023 is $501,920.20.  There are 698 accounts in the system with a balance totaling $331,880.51 as of August 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 August there were 2,879 accounts paid in full, 698 with a balance and 3,577 billed to date. 

Preparations have started for the final invoicing for 2023, as well as making preparations for the 2024 invoicing season.

Third Party Billing – We received a check for the month of August in the amount of $390. 

Blount Springs – No new developments 
   
Hayden Day – All necessary arrangements have been made. 

Christmas Dinner – Gary Palmer has accepted our invitation to be present.  Invitations will be sent to Katie Britt and other elected officials. 

New Business – none 

The next Board meeting will be Thursday, October 12, 2023, 6:00 PM at Fire Station No. 1.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM on motion by Jamie Huffstutler

Present                                         
Dolores Fort                                  
Mark Giddy    
Jamie Huffstutler                        
Danny Smith                                
Marty Stover                
JJ Ivey
Melissa Thomas                    
Stacy Quinn
Christie Moore    

                        Dolores Fort     
                        Secretary