HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0731 (2)Finance Director Blumenstein said the insurance line item had increased was
due to the consolidation of several types (property, liability, workers comp, bonds, etc.).
Commissioner Norman asked how closely the FTDB was following the
consultant's study.
Phillips said the FTDB did not see the study as anything "laid in stone." He said
that when a truck was replaced, there had to be a good reason, and the FTDB had a
maximum amount it would pay out for vehicles. Phillips said that if a VFD wanted a
$400,000 truck, the FTDB would only assist up to $300,000. He said the fire
department then had to have fundraisers for the remainder.
Commissioner Williams said the FTDB or the board of commissioners did not
have that much control over the fire departments.
Phillips said the VFDs were independent contractors. He said the FTDB
inspected the departments and looked at the equipment and vehicles, but technically, the
VFDs were independent contractors.
Tucker said the FTDB wanted to obtain a consensus on pumper or vehicle specs
instead of allowing every department to write up their own.
Phillips said the county was experiencing growth, and the FTDB would have to
find a way to fund it.
Williams asked why the First Responder costs were at 1001/6 when there had
been cuts in other line items.
Phillips said there actually were some cuts. He mentioned that if the First
Responder costs were moved to EMS, the Director of Emergency Services didn't
necessarily have to work with each individual fire department. Phillips said the FTDB
could be the contact.
Commissioner Robertson asked about the VFD insurance ratings and the
homeowners' property insurance costs. He asked if the FTDB had a proposal to
encourage the fire departments to achieve better insurance. Robertson said the citizens
would then be able to save money on their property owner's insurance, and they could
see a benefit from their tax dollars.
Ken Jumey showed a map that depicted the areas in the county with the better
insurance ratings.
Phillips said it took more than water hydrants to achieve good insurance ratings.
Tucker said the FTDB tried to pick the most densely populated areas for hydrant
placement.
Fire Marshal Lloyd Ramsey said the state insurance commissioner recently
conducted the Monticello VFD's inspection. He said the review rated the department
on communication (100/o), water (40%) and the VFD itself (50%). Ramsey said the
inspector reviewed invoices and paperwork for the past three years. He said all training
had to be documented, and all equipment maintenance records had to be accessible.
Phillips said it took about a year just to get scheduled for a state inspection. He
said, "It behooves the insurance department for the VFD not to receive a good rating."
Tucker said many departments were using their paid firemen to help prepare for
the inspections.