HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1537equivalent of costing us one fire engine a year, but this performance based business plan that they have
proposed will save, if we get some seed money to fund it, a lot more money than it costs. This can be
verified by a combination of information from the tax office, the state fire marshal's office, and
insurance company representatives. Our plan shows how we amassed the data, and how it was
calculated, so you can plug your own numbers into it. At last week's fare commission meeting,
Troutman submitted a specific plan -- costing $2 million. One thing that wasn't pointed out by the
Troutman YFD atthe briefing was that $1.7 of that $2 million is to buy land and to build and equip a
fire station in the Fern Hill Road area. That area is a small corner in the Troutman district, and we
pulled the tax cards and they showed it to be an unrated area, more than five miles from any fire station
that exists. There's no way the fire department can provide the area with insurance benefits unless a
station is provided. That little area pays more fire tax than any four of our smallest fire districts. They
are paying the freight, they are just not getting the benefits. Troutman can do a ratings improvement for
this district's portion within five miles for a whole lot less in costs. They have a specific plan. The
reason we've had a delay in other plans is due to Mr. Johnson's request, at the retreat, for a specific
plan. The following Monday after that Saturday meeting we went to the tax office, and we said the
foundation for our plan was a district map that showed the plotted fire hydrants, and the natural water
points because water is 35% of this total process. We've got to verify why we need extra water sources,
and how much it will cost. If we can't show this and meet that portion of the rating process there's no
use to buy the other expensive fire engines -- we just can't do it-- we just buy what's needed to provide
the service. With all this data we're asking for it. The fire commission has the manuals and you can
verify anything they ask for and see the associated values. Regarding Troutman, I'd like to say that
when a volunteer fire department is experiencing 2 to 300 calls a year, it's pretty easy for a volunteer
department. We are averaging about 5 to 600 calls per department, but Troutman had 1400 calls this
year. They are overwhelmed with response needs, and I feel like the department needs the money. They
have a two -road street --response issues and saving people money on homeowner's insurance. You will
soon see specific rating plans. The fire commission will see them from Ebenezer, Cool Springs and
Trinity. These will probably be ready by the next fire commission meeting. The fire hydrants have been
plotted. We've gotten one fire district map since the retreat. The hydrants have been plotted in West
Iredell and Ebenezer, and we hope to have these maps soon. Harmony is coming next. You folks will
see savings that are two to five times greater than what it will cost, and I hope you will keep an open
mind, listen to these plans, and weigh the cost benefits because they have the opportunity to provide the
people of this county better response at a tremendous savings. "
Richard Cook Discusses the Need for a Detoxification Center:
"I think everyone knows someone who has been affected by substance abuse either directly or
indirectly. Iredell County once had a detox. It's not just my opinion that Iredell County is in dire need
of a detoxification center that's both affordable and accessible. This subject is worthy of your
consideration, and I offer any help that I can give. I just want you to consider this need. "
COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT
John Merrick Introduction: County Manager Mashburn introduced John Merrick, the expanding
industry's coordinator for the Greater Statesville Development Corporation. Mr. Merrick started work
on May 14, 2007.
Prescription Discount Drug Cards: County Manager Mashburn said 28,000 prescription cards
would be available to uninsured county citizens. He said a 20% discount would be offered at
participating pharmacies. Mashburn said the cards would be distributed at strategic areas throughout the
county.
Budget Sessions: County Manager Mashburn said that a previous meeting, May 21 was selected as a
budget work session date. He said that due to the Department of Transportation's I-40/1-77 Interchange
Public Meeting on the same date, a schedule revision was needed.
By consensus, the board agreed to the following budget work session dates:
Thursday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 31, at 5:30 p.m.
(If needed, other tentative budget work session dates are June 7, 12 & 14.)