THOMAS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES AGENCY
Board of Directors Meeting
7/20/00
4:00 PM
Board Members Present: Ricky Smith, Roy Campbell, Josh Herring, Earl Williams,
Ervin Brock
TCESA Attorney: Bruce Warren
News Media: Mark Brannan, WPAX and Laura Cassels, Times Enterprise
Board Chairman Ricky Smith called the meeting to order and Josh Herring opened the Board of Director’s meeting with prayer.
Roy Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 15th, 2000 Board meeting. The motion was seconded by Earl Williams. With all in favor, the minutes were approved.
In the practice with quarterly rotation between City and County Board members of Board Chairmanship, Josh Herring made a motion to elect Earl Williams . Roy Campbell seconded the motion. With no opposition, the motion passed unanimously.
Jack Smith reported that the 1999 year-end audit would be completed soon. There is revenue of $300,000.00 for the year in addition to the amount budgeted that had not been anticipated. This resulted from ad valorem taxes. We are currently at 50.12% of the 2000 budget.
Prudential has offered a $1,000.00 grant toward the purchase of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for Lake Riverside. The total cost for an AED is approximately $3,000.00. The First Responders in our Volunteer Fire Departments will use these devices. Earl Williams made a motion that we accept the grant and purchase an AED for Lake Riverside. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion carried.
We have received a bid from Johnson Institutional Services for cleaning the administrative offices and downstairs of the Municipal Building. The total monthly cost for five days per week service is $1,867.20. After discussion about frequency of visits and costs, Ricky Smith made a motion that Jack Smith renegotiate with Johnson Institutional Services in order to obtain a bid for three days per week service and a lower monthly fee. Josh Herring seconded the motion. There was no opposition. The motion passed.
Executive Director Smith said that the accounting firm Simmons & Simmons who is conducting the 1999 audit has recommended that the Emergency Services Board be set up as an enterprise fund. In that regard, we need to set a policy for capitalizing assets. This will also assist in minimizing record keeping. The proposed Policy:
New Fire Trucks (including loose equipment) 100%
Office Equipment $5,000.00
Vehicles $5,000.00
All Other Machinery & Equipment $5,000.00
After reviewing the proposal, Earl Williams made a motion to adopt the Capitalization Policy as stated. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried.
Mr. Smith requested that the Board write off EMS accounts that have had no payment activity for a period of 18 months. All efforts through the Credit Bureau and Magistrate Court have been exhausted. Ervin Brock made a motion to write off these accounts totaling $267,549.95. Josh Herring seconded the motion. In discussion, Mr. Brock requested a proposal from the Executive Director and EMS for their plan for aggressively pursuing these debts. In the future a monthly report will be submitted with the listing of uncollected accounts. With all in favor, the motion carried.
Jack Smith stated the next issue is the appointment of an independent attorney.
Closed session began at 5:04PM and ended at 5:19PM.
Roy Campbell made a motion that in accordance with the Joint Resolution between the City of Thomasville and Thomas County that the Emergency Services Board retain independent council, and appoint Attorney Keith F. Allen to represent the Board. Ricky Smith seconded the motion. With no opposition, the motion passed unanimously.
Executive Director Smith expressed his gratitude to Ricky Smith for his service as Chairman of the Board.
Ervin Brock requested recognition for TCESB staff members and their efforts in the
S.P.L.O.S.T.
Ervin Brock made a motion that the Emergency Services Board monthly meeting be scheduled for the third Thursday of every month at 4:00PM. Earl Williams seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried.
Chief Joe Cole reported 899 calls for the year 2000 through 7-15. During the Georgia Burn Foundations annual “Give Burns the Boot” fund raising drive we collected $5,187.03 10% of which is returned to our local Fire Prevention program. Chief Cole also reported that pumpers are scheduled for delivery in August and most of the loose equipment has already arrived. We will receive savings on the Rescue equipment by accepting demo units with full factory warranty.
Tommy Layton reported 4,606 calls for the period of 7-1-00 through 7-14-00. He stated that call volume would increase to approximately 120,000 annually.
Volunteer Fire Coordinator James Hart said that there has been an increase in interest from new Volunteers. Additional training classes have been scheduled. The Volunteer Fire Department will be receiving 2 additional sets of used turn out gear for each station and it will be distributed at the next Chief’s meeting.
Shift Captain Tim Coram reported a total of 197 EMS calls for July 1st – 15th, 2000. The ambulances are beginning to show some wear. First Responders have been riding on shifts and all have been very positive and eager to learn. Medicare and Medicaid have decreased their payment on many calls by EMS but they are making consistent efforts to collect on these accounts.
In closing, Earl Williams
welcomed new Board Attorney Keith Allen and commended Ricky Smith on his past
Chairmanship. Ervin Brock requested a
Plan from the entire ESB staff stating their departmental needs and priorities
for the S.P.L.O.S.T.
The meeting was adjourned.