THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY

Board of Directors Meeting

4/25/00

4:00PM

City Hall Conference Room

 

Board Members Present:     Roy Campbell, Josh Herring, Ricky Smith, Earl Williams

 

        Executive Director:     Jack Smith

 

      Staff:     Julie Brannon, Secretary

 

TCESA Attorney:     Bruce Warren

 

News Media:     Mark Brannan, WPAX and Laura Cassels, Times Enterprise

 

 

 

Board Chairman Ricky Smith called the meeting to order and Earl Williams opened the Board of Director’s meeting with prayer.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Roy Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 20th, 2000 Board Meeting and March 30th, 2000 Workshop.  Earl Williams seconded the motion.  All were in agreement and the minutes stand approved.

 

FIFTH BOARD MEMBER

 

Earl Williams made a motion to appoint Ervin Brock as fifth Board Member for the Thomas County Emergency Services Board.  The motion was seconded by Roy Campbell.  With all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

 

ATTORNEY AND AUDITING FIRMS

 

Roy Campbell suggested that the Board interview capable and interested candidates for the TCESA Attorney at a workshop.  Executive Director Jack Smith will contact the candidates and arrange a meeting.

 

All Board members were in agreement that Simmons & Simmons would complete the 1999 year end audit for the Emergency Services Agency. The cost was estimated at $9,000.00.

 

 

 

BID OPENING- LINE OF CREDIT

 

Bid information:            Financial Institution                   Rate

 

                                    Bank of America                          5.17% floating at 84% of the                   

                                                                                        30-day LIBO Rate

                                   

                                    Thomasville National Bank             5.89% fixed

 

                                    Bank of Thomas County                5.34% fixed

 

Thomas County Federal                 Prime Rate as published in the

                                                     Wall Street Journal, less 1%

 

Commercial Bank                          68% of Prime Rate (5.95%)

    

 

Bruce Warren, Board Attorney stated that there would be no conflict of interest in accepting low fixed rate bid from Bank of Thomas County because at the time of bid proposals Ervin Brock was not on the Thomas County Emergency Services Board.

After consulting with Mr. Warren, Roy Campbell made the motion to accept the lowest fixed rate bid of 5.34% from Bank of Thomas County.  Josh Herring seconded the motion.  With all in agreement, the motion passed.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

Jack Smith recommended that the Thomas County Sheriffs Office, City of Thomasville Police Department and smaller Municipalities be billed for Dispatch service.  Invoices were prepared based on 1998 figures and reflected the shortfall in operating expenses for E911.  Mr. Smith stated that the TCESA should not be furnishing these services pro bono.   Roy Campbell expressed concern for smaller municipalities being able to fund unexpected expenses.  Josh Herring suggested notifying the County, City and other Municipalities in advance so that they can include this in their budget for next year.

Bruce Warren recommended all- inclusive written contracts with the County, City and Municipalities in order to charge for the dispatch services.  Roy Campbell made a motion for the Executive Director to proceed with establishing contractual agreements with Thomas County, City of Thomasville, and all Municipalities for dispatch services.  All were in favor.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

All Board members agreed that the City of Thomasville Police Department and Thomas County Sheriffs Office need to be billed for the GCIC Lines that are currently being billed to and paid by E911.  Executive Director Smith was instructed by the Board to send the invoices for the first quarter of 2000.

 

Mr. Smith expressed that an alternative is needed in order to provide privacy and security for female employees at Fire Station #2.  MBI recommended Spence Construction to complete the remodeling job.  Josh Herring made a motion to remodel Fire Station #2.  Roy Campbell seconded the motion.  All in favor, the motion carried.

 

The financial report for March 2000 was given and reviewed.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

Volunteer Fire Department

James Hart expressed the need for new fire trucks.  He stated that over half of the Volunteer Fire Department Fleet is over forty years old.  The newest truck is seventeen years old.  Call volume has been high this month because of dry weather conditions.

 

Emergency Medical Service

EMS Shift Captain Derrick Ogletree reported 418 calls for February, 439 calls for March, and 309 to date for April.  Everything is going well.  EMS has been very busy.

 

E911

Director Tommy Layton reported 8,308 calls and 120,000 transmissions for the period of April 1st through April 25th, 2000.  There has been some trouble with GCIC lines but this is being addressed.  There is a meeting scheduled for E911 Dispatchers, all Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs in order to establish a better working relationship. 

Mr. Layton also expressed that E911 is out of space.

 

Fire

Chief Joe Cole reported 545 calls for the year. The National Safety Council Promotion for Fire Safety Education for Thomasville and Thomas County Schools is in progress.  Hose testing is also in progress.  $2,685.00 has been received in contributions from local businesses.  The Fire Department is currently conducting firefighter recruit selection.

 

 

With no other business to be discussed, Roy Campbell made the motion to adjourn.  Earl Williams seconded.  The meeting adjourned.