MINUTES OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS MEETING
October 29, 2002
The October 29, 2002 special meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the San Juan County FPD #2 for public comment on the proposed 2003 district budget was called to order by Chairman John Erly at 7:30 P.M. at the Eastsound Firehall. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Olsan and Phalan , Chief Gary Bennett , EMS Division Chief Eimers, Battalion Chief Bruce Brackett.
The purpose of the special meeting of the Board is to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed budget. This meeting was preceded by an Executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.140 for the purpose of the paramedic contract negotiations. There were no decisions rendered at that session.
Chief Bennett noted in his synopsis of the proposed budget that the district would not be requesting the 1% which the district by law is eligible to take. The proposed budget totals $1,482,646 which represents a 7% increase over 2002. The greatest increase was in the facilities category 522-50-62 which encompasses improvements to Stations 23, 25 new roofs on Stations 22 and 26.
The Public was asked to identify themselves, if possible to identify the line item in question and confine their comments to budget issues.
Leith Templin: A letter dated 10/29/02 was submitted to the Commissioners and is attached for reference.
- She asks the Commissioners to justify the wages of the Mechanic and Administrative Assistant
- Requests comparison data between mechanic costs and hiring out mechanical work. Feels local mechanic overcompensated-too expensive to have one of only 4 EVT technicians in Washington State.
- 522-10-31 line item for office supplies is too extravagant.
- custodial services and landscaping too high;
- Recommended that Board do evaluation of wages and job descriptions;
- Recommended that Board create "new final" budget/
- Threatened litigation for failure to act responsibly
Chris Thompson:
- Requested information on how raises were calculated-is concerned about 3.5% COLA;
- Questioned why percentage increases for staff exceed COLA with no explanation. Wants definition of wage structure;
- She noted that only three comparison district have a paid position for Public Education officer;
- Requested definition of Wildland Fire Coordinator;
- Suggests oil changes & maintenance could be used could be done by contract;
- Discussed comparison between her employment with the district 10 years prior and current staffing (ie. Wages), equipment and facilities;
- Concern that assessment is larger for the Fire District than the School District;
- Questions why there is no differentiation between insurance coverage for part-time vs full time employees. Why is threshold for insurance coverage set at 32 hours? Suggests increase to 40 hours for benefits;
- Suggests that wages equal 40% of the budget which is too high;
- Suggests that Commissioners review the job descriptions;
- 522-10-41: suggested that computer consultant is too extravagant;
- Recommends no web site for district - too extravagant;
- 522-30-42: niceties, but not necessities; suggests elimination of majority of Public Education programs;
- 522-30-31: suggests too extravagant;
- Questions the need for newsletters;
Byron Otten:
- Inquiries regarding wage comparison with similar populations.
- Questions necessity of Administrative Assistant and other employees full or part time. Comparison made with Clark County.
- Comparisons made with San Juan County regarding number of employees and budget size.
- Questions size of overall budget-too high on administrative costs for number of volunteers-too extravagant
- Discussed his concern about current paramedic's not being on site during their shifts;
- Discussed his concern over the current contract with the paramedics which permits a paramedic to hold a second job while on duty;
- Discuss his suggestion that paramedics on duty be required to perform other functions which might include facility cleaning, watering the lawn.
- Facility maintenance (ie. Custodial & landscape maintenance too expensive-can be done by existing staff), ie. Paramedics should water lawn
- Re: line item 522-51-64 why a pneumatic grease system is required and why $1500 is allocated for shop tools. Suggested the mechanic should own his own tools.
- 511-10-10: increase for additional meetings for Commissioners is excessive;
- The number of district cell phones questioned;
Chief Bennett noted that San Juan Fire District #3 has hired a local mechanic to do routine maintenance. They contract out for large maintenance. Our district also contracts out for certain large maintenance requirements. Our mechanic has been employed since 1994.
Chief Bennett stated that the Paramedic contract requires the on duty paramedic to respond within four (4) minutes of the dispatch page.
Chief Bennett noted that the cell phones are:
- 2 - Battalion Chiefs
-
1 - District Chief
-
3 - Paramedics
-
3 - Aid Units
Chief Bennett noted that the costs for Personal Protective Equipment is $1200 per volunteer for structure fires and $500 per volunteer for wildland fires.
Mrs. Otten:
- Questioned who formulated the budget;
- Inquired why the Fire District gave higher COLA than county;
- Expressed concern that the on-duty paramedics are not "monitored";
- Requested more opportunity for input into budget decisions prior to November 12, 2002 Board Meeting and 2003 Budget Approval.
Chief Bennett responded that the budget was prepared and presented by him. He noted that the paramedic vehicle is paid for by the district and stays with the on-duty paramedic.
Doug Slabus:
- Inquired about district insurance coverage;
- Insurance coverage:
Group Life policy for volunteers
Accident and Sickness Policy for volunteers
District Commercial Umbrella Policy:
District Automobile Policy
District Package Policy
Other comments & suggestions: (source not identified due to multiple people speaking at once)
- Critical of expenditure of cost of ambulance computers;
- Critical of high-tech when existing computers and programs will do;
- Evaluate each position;
- Rental of meeting room-discussion of costs of room upkeep;
Chief Bennett noted that an application has been submitted to the county for revision of the Conditional Use Permit meeting room use. The Commissioner's may address costs, if any, if and when the CUP is revised.
EMS Division Chief Garth Eimers noted that EMS reports when entered directly are less prone to error. There is a concern about protecting patient confidentiality-some programs being implemented will address those concerns. Skagit county is currently using the computers on the ambulances that have been budgeted for Orcas.
Commissioner Phalan & Erly noted that the Commissioner's did not disagree with the concerns regarding the Paramedic contract, however it is currently under negotiation and cannot be discussed.
Commissioner Phalan noted that it is difficult to compare the public sector with private enterprise. Public entities are generally held to higher standards.
Mr. Eimers discussed the issue of State unfunded mandates which plague both the Fire and EMS divisions.
The Commissioners thanked the public for their input and indicated they would take the suggestions under consideration.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M
Minutes of October 9, 2002 Commissioners meeting
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