Worksession

Monday, July 24, 2000

 

Spartanburg County Council held a work session on Monday, July 24, 2000, at 1:00 o’clock p.m. in Conference Room Two, County Administrative Office Building. The following were present: Honorable Karen Floyd, Chairman; Honorables Johnnye Code Stewart, Rock Adams, Frank Nutt, David Britt, Jeff Horton and Ken Huckaby, Council Members; along with Jim Hartmann, County Administrator; Bill Dennis, Deputy County Administrator; Glenn Breed, Assistant County Administrator, and Edwin Haskell, Assistant County Attorney.

I. Chairman Floyd called the meeting to order.

  1. Information was received regarding Spartanburg Emergency Medical Services (EMS) contract, rate structure, and operational requirements. Mr. Bill Dennis advised Council that the merit increase for EMS employees, which was not included in the budget, would be paid from carry over funds. Mr. Dennis advised that there has been no rate increase for EMS services since 1992. The existing contract states that the County will fund any deficit. Mr. Dennis stated that EMS should be looked at as a business. He reviewed several options for Council consideration regarding rate increases and salary adjustments. Motion by Mr. Britt to recommend to full Council a rate increase to $330 for ALS calls and $250 for BLS calls, and approval of the salary adjustment as included in the EMS Budget request with the intent that the salary adjustment will be fully funded by the rate increase. Motion seconded by Mr. Huckaby and carried. Spartanburg EMS will monitor this situation closely and should report any problems and/or shortfalls to the County Administrator without delay.
  2. Mr. Bill Dennis discussed budgets for County Fire Departments. He reviewed the process and variables, using Una Fire Department as an example. Mr. Dennis stated that the process is based on projections which are fluid. The process, as dictated by the state, is flawed. Due to this flawed process, six Spartanburg County fire departments have deficits. The Chairman suggested that the County supplement the shortfalls this year, and then correct the process. Motion by Mr. Horton to authorize an expenditure of approximately $53,000 from Council Contingency to the six County fire departments with deficits, to fund them to the level of their stated budget, with the stipulation that the budget process be corrected. Motion seconded by Mr. Britt and carried.

Mr. Ron Godfrey appeared on behalf of Cross Anchor Fire Department. He stated that the fire department is surviving, but it is not growing. He also said that taxpayers expect emergency services.

Mr. Ron Nordenbrock appeared on behalf of the Poplar Springs Fire Department and as President of the Fire Chief Advisory Board. He stated that fire departments need to meet present needs and plan for the future. He stated that County Council did not appear to be concerned about the fire departments. Chairman Floyd stated that Council is concerned and that is why they had made arrangements for a study to be completed by the Council of Governments.

Mr. Tommy Dorsey appeared on behalf of Arcadia Fire Department. He stated that the fire departments need to plan to have paid people in the future. Volunteers are very difficult to acquire.

Mr. Eddie McNeal of the Campobello Fire Department appeared and stated that his department cannot afford to meet OSHA requirements. OSHA recently inspected his department and listed numerous findings.

Mr. Ken Crenwshaw appeared from the Una Fire Department. He said that his department has problems similar to those mentioned today. He thanked Council for their efforts.

Meeting adjourned.

Spartanburg County Council

______________________________

Karen Floyd, Chairman

 

 

Attest:

 

_____________________

Lori Hinds

Clerk to Council