White River Township Fire Protection District
	Board Meeting Minutes
	August 9, 1999  ~  7:00 p.m.
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District Members Present:  Butch Sutton, Paul Kite, Chuck Shufflebarger and Bill Patterson. 

District Employees Present:  Mike Dutton and Kim Clawson. 

Corporation Members Present: Eric Brown, Joel Thacker and Mike Tibbetts. 

1.        Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.  The primary purpose of this meeting is to adopt the 2000 budget. 

2.        Minutes from the July 8 meeting read.  Motion by Bill and 2^nd by Paul to accept minutes as written.  All in favor and motion carries.  

3.        Minutes from the July 28 meeting read.  Motion by Paul and 2^nd by Chuck to accept minutes as written.  All in favor and motion carries. 

4.        Financial report from Eric Reedy:

Key Bank Capital Outlay (Aerial)                      $ 709,647.10

NBD Capital Outlay                                                  21,163.02

Cumulative Fire Fund                                               60,228.69

Debt Fund                                                                  49,818.66

General Fire Fund                                    303,326.02

TOTAL                                                             $ 1,144,183.49 

5.        Floor opened for discussion for the 2000 Budget.  No discussion.  Motion by Bill and 2^nd by Paul to accept the budget as advertised.  All in favor and motion carries.  Budget copies passed and signed by all members present.               ATTACHMENT A 

6.        District meeting adjourned to executive session at 7:20 p.m. for the purpose of discussing various issues relating to the hiring process.  Eric Brown, Mike Tibbetts, and Joel Thacker excused. 

7.        District meeting reconvened at 8:03 with the re-inclusion of Eric Brown, Mike Tibbetts, and Joel Thacker. 

8.        Chief Dutton stated that he is still working on completing the sewer project at station 51 before he continues with the station 52 foundation project. 

9.        Brian Bosma stated that he recently approved a contract between the District and the City of Greenwood Fire Department for them to activate our storm siren when they activate theirs. 

10.     Butch stated that there still has been no volunteer contract signed for this year.  Brian stated that there is a provision in each supplemental agreement that says if there is no new agreement in place by the end of the contract period, the current contract automatically remains effective until a new one can be signed and placed into effect. 

11.     Butch mentioned that we are close to settling on a supplemental retirement package with AUL.  He is waiting to see if we will have $25,000 to contribute to the package. 

12.     Chief Dutton mentioned that Marge Buford is still working on a benefits package for us. 

13.     Brian has been researching whether PERF participants will be required to pay FICA.  He submitted a letter to the IRS and will not have a response for 4-6 weeks.  He anticipates their response to be that we do not have to pay it, however, nothing is definite at this point. 

14.     No final decision has been reached regarding crediting one year of service for Eric Brown.  PERF’s advisory committee meeting August 17 and Brian was directed to submit a letter to them asking for permission to credit service for Eric. 

15.     Discussion on whether Mike Tibbetts should be allowed to not enroll in the ’77 PERF fund and instead, do as the Chief as done, and place 21% of his salary into a separate account of his choice.  There are many drawbacks for Mike to do this: 

1)       Would it be ‘equal’ benefits?

2)       District liability.

3)       FICA issue.

4)       Would wife receive death benefits?

5)       Question of coverage for disability.

6)       May need to sign a release.

16.     Jeremy Pell recently submitted a letter to Chief Dutton declining his offer of employment as a Battalion Chief with the Fire District.  The next eligible candidate on the list was Don Fouts.  Motion by Chuck and 2^nd by Bill to extend conditional offers of employment to Don Fouts, pending successful completion of both PERF physical and the physical agility test.  All in favor and motion carries.  Chief Dutton will make contact with Mr. Fouts. 

17.     Still working with neighbor on drainage easement.  Brian stated that it would be easier if Butch was authorized to sign on behalf of the District.  Motion made by Bill and 2^nd by Paul to allow Butch to sign the agreement with the neighbor on the issue of the drainage easement. 

18.     Chief Dutton mentioned that we will be receiving two hundred thousand dollars in Build Indiana Fund monies from the State of Indiana.  Brian directed Chief Dutton to call and confirm that no one from this agency needs to be present at the time of the hearing. 

19.     Chief Dutton stated that the Department is now overseeing management issues for the White River PMT ambulance.  The contract is in the process of being revised to that extent. 

20.     No further new business.  Butch stated that the purpose of the September meeting will be to revisit the Ten Year Plan and discuss future of Station 53.  Butch also suggested inviting Dan Maple, Township Trustee, to this meeting.