(Adopted 7/20/2000)
The Wake County Fire Commission met Thursday, May 18, 2000, at 4:30 p.m. at the Wake County Public Safety Center, 330 South Salisbury Street, Room C170, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Members Present: Yevonne Brannon, Wake County Commissioner
Ed Brinson, West Region/Primary
Tony Chiotakis, West Region/Alternate
Ray Echevarria, Director-Fire/Rescue Division
Phil Mitchell, South Region/Primary
Ned Perry, Citizen/Consumer
Sidney Perry, President of Fireman's Association
Donald Pierce, South Region/Alternate
A.C. Rich, North Region/Primary (late arrival)
Ron Roof, North Region/Alternate
Charles Sannipoli, Citizen/Consumer
Buddy Scarboro, Wendell Town Representative (late arrival)
Tom Vaughan, East Region/Primary
Members Absent: Cloyce Anders, External Facilitator
Blaine Parks, Citizen/Consumer (Alternate)
Rodney Privette, East Region/Alternate
Nancy Schwarm, Citizen/Consumer
Bonnie Woodruff, Citizen/Consumer
Staff Present: David Cooke, Deputy County Manager
John Rukavina, Public Safety Director
Chris Perry, Chief Deputy Fire Marshal
Dewey Poole, Fire/Rescue Training Director
John Callaway, Public Safety Shift Supervisor
Sherry Scoggins, Executive Secretary
Ray Echevarria called the meeting to order at 4:32 PM.
Introduction of new Wake County Public Safety Director:
Ray Echevarria introduced the new Director of Wake County Public Safety, John D. Rukavina. Mr. Rukavina provided introductory remarks and stated he was looking forward to working with the County. He then joined the Fire Commission to participate in the evening discussion.
Approval of Minutes:
Upon motion of Ned Perry, seconded by Yevonne Brannon, the Wake County Fire Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the March 16, 2000, meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Subcommittee Reports:
Apparatus/Facilities Subcommittee:
Chairperson Ned Perry stated the Apparatus/Facilities Subcommittee did not meet, and he does not have a report to submit to the Fire Commission.
Manpower/Staffing Subcommittee:
Chairperson Chief Vaughan stated the Manpower/Staffing Subcommittee did not meet, and he does not have a report to submit to the Fire Commission .
County Manager's Budget Recommendation Presentation - David Cooke, Deputy County Manager:
Mr. Cooke distributed FIRE TAX RATE RECOMMENDATION FOR OPERATING EXPENSES AND DEBT SERVICE* handout to the Fire Commission. Mr. Cooke stated that all county fire departments will soon receive check for prior year fire tax revenues.
The fire tax rate recommended by the County Manager for FY 2000-2001 is seven cents - .065 to fund operating expenses and current debt service and .005 held for future Capital Improvements Projects as recommended by the Fire Commission and staff and approved by the Board of Commissioners. Chief Vaughan motioned to support the County Manager's seven-cent recommendation. Motion seconded by Ms. Brannon. Motion carried unanimously.
The group then discussed sending a written recommendation for the budget to the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Sannipoli offered to do the write up for the Fire Commission to be sent the Board of Commissioners. Motion passed unanimously for Mr. Sannipoli to do the write up to the Board of Commissioners.
Discussion of Budget Revision Process - Ray Echevarria, Fire/Rescue Director:
Ray distributed WAKE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS - REVISING THE BUDGET PROCESS* handout to the Fire Commission. Ray commented this would be for the upcoming FY 2001-2002 budget process. Everything in the presentation is a proposal. Would like to meet with all the Wake County Fire Chiefs to discuss the change process. Ray proposes to bring list of performance measures back to the Fire Commission for discussion at the July meeting.
Memo from Cloyce Anders:
Ray distributed CURRENT AND FUTURE SCHEDULE MEMO FROM W. CLOYCE ANDERS* handout. The Fire Commission discussed the memo and wanted clarification on whether or not Mr. Anders wanted to serve or resign. Ray stated that he would call Mr. Anders to get clarification. If Mr. Anders is unable to continue serving, then Ray will send out forms to the Fire Commission members and the members can nominate a new chairperson amongst themselves and have the new chairperson in place by the July meeting. If Mr. Anders is unable to continue serving, would also need to work on the rules of procedure to change structure of the Fire Commission.
Comments from Chief Rich:
Chief Rich commented on the meeting time of the Fire Commission. Stated that he has received comments from persons who are very interested in the fire service and would like to attend, but the meeting time conflicts with their work schedule. After a brief group discussion, it was agreed that agendas and minutes would be sent to the Fire Commission and also sent to all Wake County Fire Departments so everyone with an interest in the Fire Commission would be aware of what was being discussed. Meeting time will remain at 4:30 p.m.
Public Comments:
No comments were received.
Adjournment:
With no other business, motion to adjourn at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
*Attachment - Fire Tax Rate Recommendation for Operating Expenses and Debt Service
*Attachment - WAKE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS-Revising the Budget Process
*Attachment - Current and Future Schedule Memo, from W. Cloyce Anders