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Bracken County EMS board hears operational concerns
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By WENDY MITCHELL
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BROOKSVILLE -- Seats filled quickly at the meeting of Bracken County EMS board Tuesday night as concerned citizens, county and city officials and EMS members listened to the minutes of the Feb. 13 meeting.
Elements of the reading later became grist for questions from some in attendance.
Through the initial portion of the meeting, board members openly discussed questions with newly-hired financial administrator Allen Perkins.
In his review of the financial status of the EMS, Perkins said he believed the present budget could support his salary, which amounts to $10 per hour for 30 hours per week.
"I believe we can make it through, without amending the budget or changing the certificate (of deposit)," said Perkins.
Much of the operational funds for the EMS comes from the interest from certificates of deposit in its name, said officials.
The board approved Perkins request to control funds up to $500 in the office supplies account and up to $1,000 in the banking accounts, with a second signature of a board member needed for purchases exceeding those amounts. He was asked to bring more information on proposed investment projects involving area banks and certificates of deposit belonging to the department.
During a discussion of a change in job description for EMS Director Betty McClanahan, she complained a paper given to her by board Chairperson Kim Jones did not explain that it was a job description nor did it contain the job title in an acceptable form.
Jones explained the term EMS/ALS director at the beginning of the description was meant to mean either/or should the department become an advanced life support ambulance service; it is presently a basic life support unit.
McClanahan also questioned the requirement in the description that the director act as an EMT/Paramedic for 24 of the 38 hours of work time, with 14 hours devoted to scheduling, training and disciplinary actions.
McClanahan asked for more detail in the job description. Jones asked to table the discussion until board attorney Ed Massey could be present. Massey did not attend Tuesday's meeting.
In a discussion of line of authority, which lists McClanahan and Perkins as equals, McClanahan questioned the need to amend the original chain of command and asked where someone she is planning to hire as a supervisor or assistant director fits into the chart.
"That must be a posted job, to replace the director," said Jones. "You cannot hire them by saying they will be the ALS director."
McClanahan requested the discussion be tabled until Massey was available.
Later in the meeting, McClanahan complained that some board members were trying to tell her how to do her job on a daily basis. Jones replied that McClanahan answers to the board.
When McClanahan mentioned in her monthly report that invoices will be electronic, beginning in May, Perkins interrupted and pressed the board to give him authority to "investigate the billing costs." He questioned what and why some materials, including old run sheets, are returned to the EMS for disposal instead of the billing company disposing of them.
Board member David Sticklen said part of the cost was due to a computer contract with the billing company.
"The state is mandating computers on every ambulance by the end of the year and we would either have to do it through the billing company or the state," said McClanahan.
Perkins asked for access to the materials. Those materials are part of McClanahan's job and fall under HIPAA privacy laws, said a board member.
"I think it needs to stay under Betty," said Sticklen.
Perkins' access to personnel and personal files was questioned by some of the EMTs.
With the meeting drawing to a close, EMT Brian Harrison asked about the legality of Perkins' hiring and the possible repercussions of the board having given access to sensitive material to a person who may not have been hired in accordance with the open meeting laws.
"It is not what was posted. In what meeting was the position changed," asked Harrison.
The minutes of the Feb. 13 meeting clearly stated that no action was taken in executive session, yet at least one board member said the change was made in executive session.
"That is really what everybody is upset about. I was at the meeting, you came out of executive session and said no action taken," said Dolores Perkins, who is not related to Allen Perkins.
Jones referred to the situation as an action the board took on the advice of Massey and said the posted position of EMS administrator was unfamiliar to her. She said former board member Jim Thornbury was the one who posted the position.
"This is the first time I have seen that," said Jones.
Though the board did not have to have a meeting to hire Allen Perkins, the meeting where the position title was changed should have been done properly, according to Delores Perkins.
"I have nothing against Mr. Perkins, it is the way the posting was or was not done that I have a problem with," said Delores Perkins.
When the board asked for his opinion based on his experience as Augusta mayor, Wendell High said the change discussed in an executive session "has to be brought up in your (open) board meeting."
Jones said she would be in contact with Massey on Wednesday.
"It is nobody's fault. It is just something that was overlooked," said Delores Perkins.
Massey did not return phone messages left for him Wednesday by The Ledger Independent.
For more area news, go to www.bracken-online.com
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276. |
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