White River Township Fire Protection District
Board Meeting Minutes
December 5, 2001  ~  7:00 p.m.

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District Board Members Present:  Paul Kite, Butch Sutton, Jon Raker and Bill Patterson.

District Board Members Absent:  Chuck Shufflebarger.

Others Present:  Eric Reedy, Chief Tibbetts, Mike Hoffman, Mike Combs, Joe Settles.

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  1. Meeting called to order at 1908 hours.  Minutes from previous reviewed and accepted.
  1. Station 53 update:
    1. We are still exchanging letter with Koch Mechanical over issues that have yet to be resolved.  We are getting closer and only have an approximate $8,000 difference.  Once the final amount has been reached, we will be notified.
    2. There are no warranty issues at this time.
    3. We are still looking into roof issues.
  1. Volunteer Corporation Update:
    1. The Corporation board members are still waiting on an opinion from their attorney, Joe Pitcher.
    2. A conclusion is trying to be reached by the end of the year.
    3. It was questioned whether we would lose any of our fire district if the existing corporation is changed in any way.
  1. Chief Tibbetts gave an update on the hiring process.
    1. Three of the four candidates that we made conditional offers of employment to successfully completed all phases of the medical and psychological evaluations.
    2. A letter from I.P.S.P has been placed on file advising against the hiring of the fourth person and explaining why.
    3. The fourth person was qualified as a Paramedic.  There are no more Medics left on list #2, which was void after the letters were sent to these four candidates. 
    4. Motion by Butch and 2nd by Jon to make a conditional offer of employment to the 1st Medic on List #3, Lucas A. Martindale.  All in favor and motion carries.  Chief Tibbetts will administer.
  1. Eric Reedy gave financial update.
    1. Because of differences between expenditures and the budget, we need to transfer $28,000 with an additional appropriation.
    2. Transfer of appropriation that does not require a public hearing was from salary to overtime.

                                                              i.      Motion to make transfer made and passed.

    1. Public hearing opens to hear comments from the public regarding the additional appropriation as advertised.  No comments from the public.  Motion by Bill and 2nd by Jon to approve the appropriation.  All in favor and motion carries.
    2. We will close on the fire loan by the end of the year.
    3. Effective July 1, 2001, we are allowed to set aside 10% of our funds at the end of each year in a Rainy Day Fund, which is much less restrictive, has no effect on the tax rates, and cannot be reviewed by the State Tax Board.

                                                               i.      Motion made by Bill and 2nd by Jon to establish the Rainy Day fund.  All in
                                   favor and motion carries.  Eric Reedy will establish.

                                                              ii.      Motion made by Butch and 2nd by Bill to move up to 10% to the fund before
                                  the end of the year.  All in favor and motion carries. 

  1. Chief Tibbetts discussed recent backing incident of Engine 53 while on a mutual aid run to Madison Township.   The damage will cost approximately $1,700 to repair.  Motion by Bill and 2nd by Butch to proceed with the repairs with Cumulative Fund money.
  1. Invitations to Quote have been sent to four (4) companies regarding bidding on fitness equipment for the three stations.  We have been approved to receive federal grant funds for this and must match 10%.  This money has already been approved and can come out of the Cumulative Fund.  Chief Tibbetts was given the authority to accept the bid that closest meets our bid requirements and obtain the fitness equipment.  A policy must be developed regarding the use of this fitness equipment and must be approved by the District Board before it is implemented.
  1. Chief Tibbetts stated that the officers met on December 14th to discuss 2001 achievements, 2002 goals and a 5 year plan.
  1. District Board stipends are being prepared and will be distributed the same as they were last year.
  1. Next FPDB meeting has been scheduled for January 10th, 2002.
  1. Rural Metro and Jim White have approached us with an offer of placing an ambulance in one of our stations.  We would share this ambulance with the City of Greenwood and for any runs at the Center Grove High School.  We are waiting on them to present a contract to us.
  1. Mike Combs updated everyone on the current status of the 800 mhz radio system and stated that they plan on being in service and in operation on December 17th.
  1. No further new business and meeting adjourned at 20:12 hours.

Meeting minutes recorded by Michael Hoffman.