HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_2153 (2)IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONEF
BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
MAY 20.1999
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met for a FY 1999-00 budget meeting on May
20, 1999, at 6:00 p.m., in the South Wing Conference Room, of the Iredell County Government
Center.
Members present included: Sara K. Haire, Chairman
Steve D. Johnson, Vice Chair
Tommy E. Bowles
Alice T. Fortner
Alice M. Stewart
Staff present included: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan
Blumenstein, Fire Marshal Chuck Gallyon, Sheriff Phil Redmond, Chief Deputy Rodney Proctor,
Communications Director Larry Dickerson, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
JOINT MEETING WITH FIRE TAX DISTRICT BOARD
Fire Tax District Board Members Carroll Goodman, Don Parker, and Ted Evans attended
the meeting along with the Firemen's Association President Wayne Mayberry. (Commissioner
Stewart also serves on the board of directors in a non-voting capacity.)
Parker submitted a written summary of the fire tax board's position regarding fire services
in the county. It is incorporated into the minutes by reference as Attachment A.
Some comments made by the fire tax board members were:
The VFDs and Fire Tax District Board are having to rely on an outdated consultant's
study. A new study is recommended.
• A complete review of hydrant needs should be accomplished.
• The Fire Tax District Board has "tremendous responsibility and no authority."
• The current method for funding VFDs is wrong.
• Some form of compensation (transportation costs) should be given to the firemen. The
departments are currently losing firemen, and one reason is because it is expensive to
respond to calls, drills, etc.
• A consolidated method for purchasing equipment and trucks should be done to save
money.
• It would not be in the county's best interest to lower the fire taxes this year.
• The fire marshal has been asked to complete a study on each VFDs indebtedness. This
amount is estimated to be around $4 million.
Commissioner Fortner asked Parker if fire hydrants were being recommended on a county-
wide basis. Parker said not county -wide, but on an individual basis.
Goodman added there were many water lines throughout the county that did not have
hydrants.
Commissioner Bowles asked if the number of trucks would be affected if there were more
hydrants.
Goodman said in some areas, and Mayberry said there would still be a need for tankers.
He said most departments were going to pumper tankers.
Commissioner Johnson said he always had concerns about the VFD debts. Johnson said he
often felt the departments that kept going into debt were being rewarded.