THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES BOARD

Called Meeting

Tuesday, December 29, 1998

4:00 PM

City Hall Conference Room

Board Members present: Chairman Tim Sherrod, Roy Campbell, Earl Williams and Josh Herring

Staff present: Kimberly Riddle Administrative Assistant

From the City of Thomasville: Tom Berry City Manager

From Thomas County: Bruce Warren County Attorney, Mike Stephenson County Manager, Twink Monahan Insurance/Personnel Clerk – Thomas County

From the news media: Mark Brannan

DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION:

Chairman Sherrod opened the meeting by further discussing the pending contracts between the City and County in reference to upcoming legislation. Bruce Warren stated that TCESD couldn’t become an authority under existing legislation due to the factor of no generated fees by the department. The only alternative would be local legislation. The ability to issue bonds is constitutionally based and it will be the right of the citizens of Thomasville and Thomas County to approve the issue of bonds. Chairman Sherrod asked if the City and County could issue bonds together. Bruce Warren stated that under current provisions it would have to be reviewed. Tom Berry stated that the City of Thomasville would have revenue for revenue bonds. However, being under a contract with TCESD the funds cannot be given for the bonds. Roy Campbell and Josh Herring gave their opinion of the bond issue and felt that it would not be the best alternative for the new department. Bruce Warren will return to the next scheduled meeting to present a draft of the written local legislation to the board.

Commissioner Earl Williams arrived (4:45).

CAPITAL BUDGET DISCUSSION:

Discussion of the capital budget included the urgency of updating of the E-911 system. The E-911 system is top priority due to the fact that it will have to be relocated, updated, and it is not prepared for Y2K. Roy Campbell stated that in addition to the E-911 problems the tower at the Jail Justice Center needs to be on a generator along with the radios. The City of Thomasville Information Systems Department has been to look at the tower and discussed the problems with Roy Campbell. Chairman Sherrod stated that the board would contact a telecommunications company to determine the best route for the E-911 system and the updated functions needed. Chairman Sherrod further stated that he would research the possibility of leasing the new E-911 equipment from the perspective telecommunications company verses buying the equipment due to the fact that the equipment may be outdated within the next (5) years and leasing would supply maintenance and support service.

Josh Herring voiced concern in reference to the amount of funds projected for building the new stations, ambulances and fire trucks. He suggested updating and renovating the current stations to house a pumper truck and ambulance.

REVENUE/TAXES:

Chairman Sherrod presented a handout outlining the projected revenue and taxes for 1999. It is estimated that the TCESB will operate on funds of approximately $325,000.00 per month. Payroll will exhaust approximately $280,000.00 of those funds per month. It was decided that the City and County will provide the funds for the TCESB and the board will in turn pay the funds back out to the appropriate parties. Tom Berry stated that the landfill could provide $100,000.00 per month and the board could pay the funds back after taxes are collected at the end of the year. The only loss to the landfill would be the accrued interest on the funds that will be withdrawn. Tom Berry stated that he would meet with Bruce Woods Executive Director of TCESB and Mike Stephenson County Manager to construct a (3) to (5) year analysis on utilizing the landfill to offset the city and county cash flow and determine the anticipated revenue and needs of the landfill.

OTHER ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Twink Monahan Personnel Clerk for Thomas County attended the meeting to present a new account established by the county with PEPSCO. The account will separate the new TCESB employees from other county employees to implement their payroll and 457 accounts. Mike Stephenson stated that the new account was set up to keep a separate and complete record of all TCESB employees payroll functions and a monthly report would be provided to show only those new employees. A motion was made by Josh Herring to sign the new account and signature cards. Earl Williams seconded the motion. The signatures were provided for the account.

Roy Campbell stated that the name on all accounts and correspondence related to the new department should be titled “Thomas County Emergency Services Board”. He requested that Bruce Woods have all changes made to reflect the new name.

Roy Campbell requested an update on the current situation involving the liability insurance. Chairman Sherrod stated that all employees would stay under their current coverage until a later date.

Chairman Sherrod made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 7, 1998 and December 17, 1998 meetings. Roy Campbell seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.

The next scheduled meeting for the TCESB will be January 5, 1999 at 4:00 PM in the City Hall Conference Room.