February 28, 2007

 

 

The South Walton Fire District’s Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Beach Headquarters Station.

 

The agenda will include, but not be limited to the following:

 

 

                        I.          Call to Order

                        II.         Approval of Minutes

                        III.       Secretary/Treasurer’s Report

                        IV.       Attorney’s Report

                        V.        Chief’s Report

                        VI.       Committee Reports (if needed)

                        VII.      Unfinished/Old Business

                                                Fire Chief Search Update

                                                Construction Update-Marc Anderson

                        VIII.     New Business

                                                Health Insurance- Carrier Change

                                                Principal Financial Group to Blue Cross Blue Shield of FL

                                                EMS Billing and Collections

                        IX.       Public Comment* - Bonnie McQuiston/WCTPA

                        X.        Adjournment

 

 

*Note:  Persons who wish to be placed on the agenda must contact the Executive Assistant within two days of any meeting and provide the name of the person who will be speaking and the subject to be addressed.

 

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the South Walton Fire District’s Board of Fire Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, will need a record of the proceedings and that for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Minutes:

 

 

South Walton FIRE DISTRICT

 SOUTH WALTON FIRE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

Meeting Minutes – March 5, 2007

 

 

 

Commissioners Present:  Donna Crawford, Jack Abbit, Ed Wright, Brian Christenson, Maurice Gilbert, Mike Stange, Harry Millsaps

 

Commissioners Absent:  None

 

Call to Order:   The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of the February 5, 2007 meeting.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted by the Board to accept the request of Billy McConnell and George Hartley, representing Carnival DSL, for a new lease option with a ninety (90) day extension to the lease with first right of refusal of any offer, and include the same terms and conditions in the original lease.

 

Bonnie McQuiston, President of the Walton County Taxpayer’s Association, appealed to the Board to limit spending for the Fire District’s 2008 budget in order to aid South Walton taxpayers.

 

Secretary/Treasurer Report – Commissioner Millsaps

 

Attorney’s Report – Attorney Ramey

 

Commissioner Christenson requested to be placed on the record stating that any changes in SWFD policy be discussed amongst the Board, the Board discuss the exact language of these changes, and be in compliance with Sunshine and open meeting laws.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to approve Attorney Ramey’s monthly billing statement.

 

Chief’s Report – Deputy Chief Sean Hughes reviewed the Emergency Response Activity Report for February 2007.  SWFD lifeguards begin duty on Saturday, March 10, 2007. 

 

Committee Reports – None

 

Unfinished/Old Business:  -

 

Fire Chief Search Update – Chairman Maurice Gilbert has contacted several search firms and will be receiving proposals.  A search committee meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. for resume review and candidate pre-interviews.  The Board will hold a Special Meeting on March 19, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. to interview two potential Fire Chief candidates.

 

 

 

South Walton FIRE DISTRICT

 SOUTH WALTON FIRE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

Meeting Minutes – March 5, 2007

 

Page 2

 

 

 

Construction Update – Assistant Chief Marc Anderson announced that Station 1 renovations began Monday, March 5, 2007, two weeks ahead of schedule.  The Station 1 crew has been housed in nearby temporary quarters. 

 

Assistant Chief Anderson also announced that the plans for the Station 3 training/communications facility were at a halt due to serious water retention problems.  He suggested that SWFD use the Fire District property located on 393 South for a new Station 3 firehouse and fire tower, and renovate the present Station 3/Headquarters as an administrative building / communications center.

 

Chairman Gilbert tabled further discussion until the April Board meeting.

 

On a motion duly made and seconded the Board unanimously voted to allow Chief Anderson to move forward with an environmental study and survey of the South 393 property and report to the Board at the April meeting.

 

 

New Business:

 

Principal Financial Group to Blue Cross Blue Shield of FL:  On a motion duly made and seconded the Board unanimously voted to change the Fire District medical insurance from Principal Financial to Blue Cross Blue Shield, maintain Principal for dental, vision and group term life, and include a choice to Board members to enroll under both plans or receive $500.00 as reimbursement for obtaining other health insurance.

 

EMS Billing/Collections:

 

Deputy Chief Hughes addressed several options to collect bad debts in regards to current EMS collections.  Chief Hughes was given direction by the Board to move forward on researching further options.

 

Public Comment:

 

John Fitch, Okaloosa County.

 

Commissioner Stange requested that the Board maintain stricter adherence to the policy regarding public participation at Board meetings.

 

 

Adjourned:   The meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.