HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0052 (2)someone. Mashburn said he then asked Parker where the money would come from to pay the
person.
Commissioner Fortner said she didn't think the county needed a part-time or full-time person
for the fire departments. She said they were getting five cents on the tax rate. Fortner said that
Centralina could be used and when the work was completed, a salary would not have to be paid.
Johnson asked if Centralina was familiar with the type of work being discussed.
Mashburn said Rebecca Yarborough was familiar with EMS group purchasing and had also
worked with fire departments. In addition, Charles Frazier (Finance Director of Centralina) would
be knowledgeable about developing a debt reduction schedule.
Mrs. Stewart said the FTDB was looking at having a new study done for the purchase of fire
trucks.
Johnson said he was understanding the county manager to say that it was not known how
involved the purchasing plan would be.
Mashburn said the plan would involve 19 fire departments. He said it would take a while
to develop.
Johnson said it would not be known until the plan was developed as to whether an additional
staff person would be needed
Mashburn agreed. He said that once the plan was developed, the actual purchasing might
not be that cumbersome.
Bowles directed a question to Mrs. Blumenstein. He said he understood that when the tire
tax went from three cents to five cents there was an unappropriated fund balance of 72%. He asked
what percent there was today.
Blumenstein said she was unclear of the specific amount, but she estimated 75%, minimum,
of the current year's operating budget. She said, however, a portion of the funds were restricted
for debt retirement.
Commissioner Stewart said another portion of the money was to be used for fire hydrants.
Johnson asked Mrs. Stewart if the fire departments were submitting the necessary debt
information.
Stewart said that at the last FTDB meeting, that about eight or nine departments had
responded. She said a new incentive had been put on the request. Specifically, the departments were
told that if the information was not submitted on March 9, the FTDB would not consider any of
their requests.
Chairman Tice said she thought using Centralina might be a good method since this agency
already had experience in the matter.
Mashburn said he had advised Don Parker that using the proceeds from the county service
district to pay Centralina would be a legitimate expenditure.
Johnson asked if the county had any "free time" with Centralina.
Mashburn said he didn't know. He said most of the funds were used by the planning dept.
Johnson said he didn't have any problems using the "free time" with Centralina, but if none
existed, then, the payment should come from the fire tax money.