At the June 16 regular meeting of the Blanco County Emergency Services District #2 Board of Commissioners, two new board members were elected to fill the secretary and treasurer spots vacated by Theresa Turner. Rebecca Greathouse had volunteered for the position of Secretary and Mary Ann Millard for the position of treasurer. President Ann Hall called for any other nominations, none were given, and the two were accepted into office.
After the previous meeting’s minutes were approved, Ann Hall gave the treasurer's report. The circuit that sets off the tones used to page out both the Blanco EMS and VFD costs $320.45 per month. Ann Hall stated, “I’m searching really hard to find a way to tone you out, without spending that much every month.” The large amount for the Delinquent Tax Attorney fees was explained by Ann Hall. “When I got on the board... I found in the auditor’s report there there was no evidence of a Delinquent Tax Attorney ever being paid. Everyone thought that money was being paid by the Appraisal District. That is not the case. “ The payment had not been made since 2008; $15,781 was due. “[The law offices of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLC] had collected $88,000 in taxes. The law says that you either pay the Delinquent Tax Attorney for collecting it or you return the money to the people who paid it. It’s a penalty they’re paying for not paying their taxes on time. This board chose to pay what was owed.” Later in the meeting, Ann Hall reported that the law firm had approved a $500 sponsorship for the Hill Country Heartbeat Fundraiser for EMS.
Ann Hall also informed the meeting attendees that the previous board had not budgeted for several items such as the Delinquent Tax Attorney fees and director training and, as such, the budget is overdrawn in several areas. No motion was needed as the entire financial report is approved at the end of the fiscal year.
Blanco EMS Director Mike West gave his monthly performance report. In addition to what was reported in the last week’s regular EMS meeting, he informed the attendees of a blood drive scheduled for August 24th at the Stripes station. He also submitted the 2014 budget for the ESD’s approval, noting that about every 6 months he receives notices of increase in medication cost. Typically these increases are between twenty and sixty percent. Mike explained, “Some are the only people who make that kind of drug, or make it in that type of vial that we use for emergency medicine.” Mike also reported on the fundraiser update and went on to request attendees to spread the word of the need for volunteers on the day of the fundraiser.
Blanco VFD Chief Lynn Hicks gave his monthly performance report. Chief Hicks reported on the budget and monthly runs. He also informed the attendees that the Church of Christ quarterly men’s breakfast has invited Emergency Services to breakfast on August 24th.
An update on land acquisition for use to build a new combination EMS and VFD station and/or an additional south substation was given by Vice President Wayne Dworaczyk. He explained that they were trying to find someone interested in donating land rather than paying for the land. Another option is to build onto the existing EMS station at 607 Chandler St. After the land is acquired or the decision made to expand on the EMS station, the VFD will apply for building grants from FEMA. Ann Hall stated, “You have to have the land, and you have to have the plan. Then you can apply. It’s a sixty-day window [after the grant is acquired, to start building].” Mike West requested a committee, consisting of members of the ESD, EMS and VFD, be put together in order to make the plan for the actual building. Lynn Hicks stated, “The purchase of the land is the primary objective, then you have to plan the station around the configuration of the land.” Further discussion ensued over available land, logistic requirements, and housing needs. It was finally agreed that preliminary building plans would be put together over discussions among Wayne Dworaczyk, Mike West, Lynn Hicks and Rebecca Greathouse, who has a degree in architecture.
With the renewal of the EMS and VFD contracts with the ESD approaching, Ann Hall gave both groups a standard contract to look over. “If there are things you want to add or change, we can ask [the attorney], and he’ll tell us why or why not it’s a good idea.”
Ann Hall encouraged the board and attendees to go to www.texastransparency.org, a website run by Texas Comptroller, Susan Combs. The site’s purpose is for government agencies, such as the ESD, to post their budget and expenditures for public view. Ann Hall proposed that the ESD should add their information after review and approval from the board.
Mike West proposed his plan for salvage disposal of Unit 213, an out-of-commision ambulance. The board approved the ambulance to be either auctioned off on www.publicsurplus.com or sold to an individual for no less than $2,500.
Ann Hall and Wayne Dworaczyk reported that they had been asked to a meeting with the Blanco City Attorney, Ed Rogers, to discuss “all the confrontation going on.” Concerns discussed during this meeting included Mark McMain’s resignation from the VFD. VFD Board President Harvey Lindeman reported that Mark McMain has given his resignation to Chief Lynn Hicks and that the Board would be confirming it at a Special Meeting on Thursday, June 18. Wayne Dworaczyk repeated to the attendees his response to the City Attorney during their meeting, “Basically we’re trying to become a first responder organization. And I told him how disappointed I was that his information comes from people who don’t go to the ESD meetings. We invited all the city council members, no one’s here.” He went on to say, “There’s too much talk around town, too much squabbling.”
Another concern addressed was the city-owned fire truck. An oral agreement made when the engine was bought was that the maintenance and additional costs for the truck were to be provided by the VFD, which presents an issue because the VFD doesn’t have its own money, except for fundraiser money; all tax funds are owned by the ESD. It was agreed by the board to make a presentation during the next City Council meeting in order to establish transparency on these and other issues.
Ann Hall ended the meeting with a discussion of the intent of the ESD. “Our plan is to have two organizations operating out of a single roof... so that [the two organizations] can have a working relationship and camaraderie. There is no intent on this board, whatsoever, to run the Fire and the EMS. I want the [VFD to run the VFD and the EMS to run the EMS] because I like to have more citizens involved.” Rebecca Greathouse agreed, stating, “And they know what they’re doing.” Mike West replied, “We’ve been talking about this for two and half years, so I’d like to have a date on [the move]. Fire Department has needs... EMS has needs... and I realize everyone [on the ESD board] is new. We talk and talk about it but I really think we need to throw [a date out there]... and then at least we have a point to shoot for.” This business was not an action item, so no motion was made. Ann Hall stated that it would probably be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
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