The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. with the following members present: Larry Tyler, Jesse Davis, Johnny Rigney, Randy Cooper and Scott Ricci. Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer were followed by the administration of the oath to all present.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: 2009-10 Audit was presented by Randy Dillingham of Christopher, Smith, Leonard, Bristow & Stanell, P.A. He stated that they gave our audit a clean, unqualified opinion which is the highest they can state. There were no comments or findings and the process was very open and transparent. He thanked Julie Pritchard, Mary Stephens and Chief Price for their assistance and cooperation. Regarding the Chapter 175 Pension Plan, he explained that the State requires each plan to report as if it was using the entry-age funding methodology and that any unfunded actuarial accrued liability is based on that reporting requirement and not based on the actual funding method used by the District’s Chapter Plan which is the aggregate method. According to the Plan’s actuary, the plan has no unfunded liability and is currently funded at 198%. Mr. Dillingham went on to explain the GASB requirement for reporting on “Other Pension Benefits” or OPEB. It requires use of a different method of calculation of retiree benefits. The District is required by statute to offer retirees to continue in the health plan with the retiree paying that entire premium. The new OPEB rule tries to capture the impact of having older retirees in the plan which may drive current premiums up due to the census of the employee/retiree group. In taking comments, the Chairman recognized Al Robinson who stated he felt the unfunded pension is being swept under the rug. Commissioner Davis motioned to accept the audit as presented, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chairman Larry Tyler stated that the Board’s rule on public comments is that it only be on items that are on the agenda. Any other issues should be submitted through the staff or Chairman and will be addressed that way and letters to the District shall be signed originals not photocopies. Al Robinson asked why we don’t bid contracts like the City of Holmes Beach does and noted that we don’t have someone with building expertise like the City does with a Building Official who’s a certified contractor.
CHANGES TO AGENDA: New (2) Tax Roll
CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Davis motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Commissioner Rigney. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: Thanks from retired Chief Ed Cleveland for crew’s help with tour for grandchild’s birthday; from North Port Fire Chief for Captain Sousa’s help with assessment center; from Venice Fire Chief for D. C. Pollock’s instruction of “Courage to Be Safe” program.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Facilities: Chief Price reported the “Planting Party” was a big success with about 30 volunteers who put in 350 plants and 25 cubic yards of mulch. As for the building, there are still a few things being worked on. Last October the Board approved $55,000 for a generator for the new building plus installation but after getting three quotes, we found the cost to be higher than originally projected. The lowest of the three quotes is $62,400 so the Chief requested an additional $7400 from Impact Fees. Commissioner Davis motioned to approve the quote for $62,400; seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Motion carried.
2) RFP #11-01 Remodel of Station #1: Chief Price stated he has not yet received the Gross Maximum Price from the contractor.
3) Citizen’s Academy: Commissioner Cooper noted there is nothing new to report yet. Chief Price added that the CERT team will have a meeting here in July and we believe that will help generate interest.
4) Manatee County Property Appraiser Refund: Chief Price stated that the draft from the Property Appraiser had a different perspective so both sides agreed to do their own letters instead, so our attorney is working on that.
5) Interlocal Agreement with Manatee County for Collection of Plan Review Fees: Chief Price thought that all the other Districts had already agreed to this but that hasn’t happened yet so our attorney is working on this.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Policy Chapter 1: Our attorney is still reviewing.
2) Tax Roll: Chief Price received the tax roll and we’ll need to set our rates at the next meeting.
OTHER REPORTS: Chief Price noted that two of Cedar Hammock’s engines are down and they may need to borrow one of ours; since the move we have some old stuff in the garage at Station #4 that’s being cleared out to surplus - most of it is obsolete or broken; the old boat-tow vehicle was sent to auction; this year the Disaster Preparedness drill will be named Hurricane Souders in memory of Chief Souders; Duette Fire District has a 37 year-old volunteer who’s had a stroke which will be a line-of-duty illness; St. Petersburg had 3 firefighters shot with an AK47 on a medical call – fortunately the injuries were not serious; a forty-something firefighter with Longboat Key has to go out on disability due to heart problems; he’s working on the Strategic Plan goals and putting cost estimates on them.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS: Commissioner Rigney stated he’s glad we are only taking Public Comment on agenda items and thanked Randy Dillingham for the explanations of the audit and status of the pension fund. Commissioners Davis and Tyler thanked the staff for their dedication and hard work that results in a good audit every year.
NEXT MEETING Regular meeting on 5/19/11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Administration building
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ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
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Chairman Secretary
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