The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors voted 3-0 to leave the tax levy unchanged as per the tax rate ceiling provided for by the Hancock amendment at 23.77 cents per one hundred dollar at their reguar meeting at 6:06 p.m. Aug. 9.
Members present were Craig Smith, David Greenshields and Liz Gruendel.
• The financial report was reviewed with an ending balance in the general fund of $111,290.87 as of July 31.
• The budget was reviewed and compared to last year with about 74% of total income revenue having been received—88% of which has been used year-to-date.
• The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 18 calls in June and 23 calls in July with 175 total calls YTD.
• The board approved 3-0 a $50 per month increase in reimbursement for officers and firefighters as presented by Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash.
• The board also approved 3-0 a new command structure for officers and firefighters as presented by Nash.
• Nash presented to the board information and bids for new a washing machine setup to wash turnout gear—this will help lower the risk of cancer to firefighters. The industrial machines are American made. The Meramec Regional Planning Commission approved $10,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used. The board 3-0 approved its installation, pending the arrival of funds.
• DCFPD bylaws were read and discussed—bylaws will be reviewed by all members and voted on next meeting.
• Nash is waiting on procedural information from the fire marshal’s office regarding items that need to be sold. The board asked Nash to return with his findings.
New door locks are almost completed and in use.
• New turnout gear has been ordered—boots and gloves have arrived, but the rest of the gear is not expected to arrive until later this year.
• The acquisition of self-contained breathing apparatus air bottles will have to wait until the beginning of 2023. According to Nash, ordering now will enable the department to get the current price rate but the bottles will not arrive until later, allowing them to be used longer before being replaced.
• Nash addressed broken glass from construction work. He presented a plan to remove the glass and wall in the front show room to be used as a training/meeting room. According to Nash, this would help in the heating and cooling and add more functionality to the building. Discussion was held on the cost and how to go about completing the project. Part of the construction could be completed in house, saving the department money. The board asked the chief to get pricing and get back to the board as soon as possible due to the fact that the project needs to be completed before the November election.
The next meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. Sept. 6.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
