FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 5 MASON COUNTY

Chairperson Griffey called the meeting of August 23, 2006, to order at 10 A.M. Present were Commissioners Taylor and Huff and Chief Knight.

The minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2006 were read. MOTION MADE BY TAYLOR AND SECONDED BY HUFF TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS READ.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Correspondence: Lynda Ring Erickson wrote on behalf of the Local Emergency Planning Committee to invite an elected official to a meeting for Disaster Preparedness for Elected Official Training on September 14.  Either Chairperson Griffey or Commissioner Taylor will attend. 

Assistant Chief Tim McKern read from an activity report dated July 31, 2006.

McKern also advised the board that a Strike Team was sent to a fire in Eastern Washington and could be there for several days.

General Information:

Chief Knight prepared a Very Preliminary Budget for 2007.  More work will be done to balance it.  We are working towards tracking spending on equipment categories and individual pieces of equipment.  Both BARS and Excel are used to track spending.

Commissioner Huff prepared a report comparing budget categories with the BARS manual and the Fire District budget.  A discussion followed.  The report is an effort to understand the budget numbering process and how expenditures are allocated in the budget process. Commissioner Huff stated his intention is to improve the budget process to make it easier for comparison with other agencies. 

Chief Knight stated that we have always tried to keep track of funds spent by category, such as funds collected for EMS are spent on EMS and funds collected for fire protection are spent on fire protection. Two thirds of tax revenue are allocated towards EMS and 1/3 towards fire control.  A discussion followed including EMS taxes broken out in the budget, the Annual State Auditor Report process, and moving our dispatch center to Shelton. Chief Knight said while there will be a small annual savings by moving dispatch to Shelton, there are expenses such as phone lines, paying Shelcom for dispatch service and other items along those lines.  Also, 2007 budget has taken into account the IAFF contract settlement.

Commissioner Huff asked if there is a reduction in expenses, such as dispatch personnel moving to Shelcom beginning in 2007, will there be a reduction in services?  A brief discussion followed.

There is still no firm date for a meeting with Shelton City for a joint meeting. Chief Knight will keep the board informed when a date and time is suggested.

Commissioner Taylor asked if Chairperson Griffey has met with Chairperson McIntosh?  Also, is there an answer to his question about District 2’s letter stating they wish to know more about consolidation with Shelton City?  Griffey will contact McIntosh to schedule a meeting prior to our next board meeting.

Commissioner Huff asked for an Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue.

Chairperson Griffey noted that an Executive Session is scheduled at the close of this meeting and time can be allowed for Huff.

Huff requested that on the next meeting agenda that a letter from the Firefighters Association be discussed.  The topic is commissioner board meeting times.

Business for Consideration:

The regular meeting was temporarily suspended at 10:40 a.m. to call a Board for Volunteer Firefighters to order.  The meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m. and the regular meeting reconvened.

THE VOUCHERS WERE REVIEWED.  MOTION MADE BY HUFF AND SECONDED BY TAYLOR TO APPROVE FOR PAYMENT VOUCHER #21915 IN THE AMOUNT OF $155,267.99 FOR PAY AND BENEFITS OR AUGUST 2006.  MOTION MADE BY HUFF AND SECONDED BY TAYLOR TO APPROVE FOR PAYMENT VOUCHERS #21916 THROUGH AND INCLUDING #21939 TOTALING $13,050.98.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

REPORTS, SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

Mr. Tom Brokaw mentioned an article in the Journal on the front page, talking about Shelton City Fire Department staffing, and asked if Shelton Fire Department will depend on Fire District 5 for staffing?  The Board said that is unknown at this time.

Vol. Firefighter Glen Taylor asked about a letter from the Firefighters Association.  Glen was advised it would be on the agenda at the next regular meeting.

The meeting was temporarily suspended at 10:50 a.m. to call for an Executive Session to discuss IAFF contract negotiations and a personnel evaluation.  The meeting is expected to last 30 minutes.

The Executive Session was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. with no action taken and the regular meeting reconvened and adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2006 at 10 A.M.

Signature on File_______________          Signature on File_______________

Chairperson Del Griffey                        Commissioner Tom Taylor

Signature on File_______________           Signature on File_______________

Commissioner Chuck Huff                      Recording Secretary Donna M. Clark