City Hall Council Chambers

Board Members Present: Ervin Brock,Bobby Brown, Roy Campbell,

Ricky Smith, Earl Williams

Executive Director: Jack Smith

News Media: Mark Brannan, WPAX

Chairman Ricky Smith called the meeting to order and Deputy Chief Ronald Roberts opened with prayer. Chairman Smith invited public comments.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Deputy Chief Ronald Roberts addressed the Board on behalf of the Fire Rescue Division. Chief Roberts asked the Board what direction it intended to take with the organization in the future. Move forward or back up? In order to move forward additional resources, manpower, & financial aid are desperately needed. This will help meet NFPA standards, increase capabilities, and increase safety.

Vice Chairman Earl Williams stated that it is the Boards desire to use all resources, address all needs and do whatever possible to create a First Class Emergency Services organization.

EMS Shift Captain Debbie Carver spoke on behalf of EMS and asked the Board to consider hiring 3 additional personnel at EMS in order to take the Shift Supervisors off of the trucks. She stated that the Supervisors need to be in a position where they are able to assess, improve service, and increase overall operations at EMS.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Vice Chairman Earl Williams made a motion to go into executive session. Ervin Brock seconded the motion. At 9:40am the Board went into executive session.

BOARD MEETING REOPENED

At 11:20 am the TCESA Board meeting reopened. Executive Director Jack Smith presented a request from EMS for Write offs. Ervin Brock made a motion to write off $1,866.18 for delinquent accounts. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. With no opposition, the motion passed.

Chairman Ricky Smith announced that the Board approved the hiring of 9 additional personnel for ESA. These will be comprised of EMS and Fire personnel to man one of the outlying county stations.

BUDGET

Mr. Earl Williams made a motion to accept the 2002 Budget as presented. Ervin Brock seconded the motion. After discussion about pagers, reception, and Human Resources charges, Bobby Brown made a substitute motion to accept the budget with a 2.5% salary increase instead of the 5% figure. With no second, the motion failed. Roy Campbell then made a motion to set the employee salary increase at 3% instead of 5% then revisit the issue in six months. Ervin Brock seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried. Ervin Brock made a motion to approve the 2002 Budget with the modifications to the employee salary increase. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. With all in favor, the motion passed.

Roy Campbell made a motion to purchase a new ambulance for EMS and after the first of next year to look at purchasing another. Earl Williams seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried.

County Commissioner J. Elaine Mays addressed the Board.

With no further discussion, Ervin Brock made a motion to adjourn. Roy Campbell seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned.