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Questions lead to four-hour long EMS Board meeting
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By WENDY MITCHELL
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BROOKSVILLE -- Once again down to two board members, the Bracken County EMS Board, with the assistance of the board attorney, attempted for more than an hour Tuesday to answer board-related procedural questions from the public.
The questions involved the board's creation of a financial administrator position and filling of the position.
Some residents in attendance wondered how the board could justify the added expense for a clerical position without EMT qualifications.
"Why do you need someone for 30 hours per week? I think 10 hours is plenty," said E.B. Kerns. "Give the extra money to the (squad members) doing the work."
Board Chairperson Kim Jones responded she would not presume to tell Kerns how to run his business, which appeared to fuel a more heated discussion of just how legal the hiring of Perkins was.
Jones eluded to concerns members of the public had allegedly brought to board members, outside the meeting scenario.
"We had a concern on how money was being spent," said Jones. "We were trying to get supplies and ordering under one person."
Of the two board members present, Jones was the only one remaining associated with the February and March meetings that culminated in the creation of the position, interview of two prospects and hiring of Allen Perkins for the position.
Jones, along with board attorney Ed Massey attempted to answer questions about the hiring but stopped short of admitting any illegalities in the hiring and mentioned the names of former board members David Sticklen and Jim Thornbury as sources of the disputed second job description that was also a source of contention with a majority of the group.
"There is a difference between illegal and improper," said Massey, several times in the course of more than an hour of questioning and challenges to the authenticity of Perkins' position along with that of Jones.
"Were you ever sworn in," Brian Harrison, EMT, asked Jones.
The reply generated another round of dredging up the past.
"I don't know," said Jones, who said she had received a phone call from now former Judge-Executive Leslie Newman, telling her of her appointment, but could not recall a swearing in ceremony.
"I'd have to check and we can go back and look at it. If we need to fix that we will do what we need to do," said Massey.
Despite three years as a board member, Jones admitted to inexperience at heading the board since January but stressed that any oversights in procedures was not intentional.
"They can say, 'we learned from the experience,' and move on," said Massey.
Kerns insisted the board should do the right thing and vote to change the decision to hire Perkins as a 30-hour employee, again stressing the need to compensate EMTs before spending $300 per week on Perkins.
"They need the money. They are the ones out in the cold, over the hills and in the mud," said Kerns.
Jones said the board would not be making any important decisions until a full board is in place.
"We are not prepared to undo the hiring of Mr. Perkins," said Jones.
Before he left the meeting, Kerns replied that the previous chairman, "Mac (Wallace) ran this place like a kangaroo court and you're just continuing."
One audience member suggested the residents contact the office of the Kentucky Attorney General for an opinion.
Massey raised some eyebrows when he told the crowd that it would cost the county a lot of money to challenge the hiring in a court of law.
"Was it illegal? I say no, but legality would not be determined unless it was litigated," said Massey. "Personality conflicts are a huge part of this (complaint)."
Once comments from the floor closed, Perkins outlined his recent actions, including transfer of $100,000 from the checking account to a 30-day CD with the co-signature of Jones.
Perkins also used his time to questions some purchases and repair requests that had not been approved by him, or had occurred prior to creation of his job. A postage machine contract was part of the discussion along with the purchase of three gallons of a type of wash and wax product that cost $49.98 per gallon and that the purchase include a fourth.
"You only use two tablespoons at a time," said Betty McClanahan, EMS director, who defended the product as necessary to properly protect the finish of the ambulances.
According to www.onlineconversion.com, there are 256 tablespoons in one gallon of liquid, making product quantity described by Perkins enough to wash more than 500 ambulances at a cost of about 29 cents per washing.
Emergency repairs to the garage door opener chain were also challenged by Perkins, because squad members had not called him for permission to have the repairs done. Members replied that both doors would not open and the ambulances were stuck inside until one door was pried open. The repairs cost a little over $100, including the service call charge.
In other business, the board:
-- Tabled a decision to choose an EMT class instructor.
-- Tabled decision to elect board officers, including secretary and treasurer.
-- Heard from the building committee that the laundry area is being worked on and the window has been installed in the bedroom area, providing sleeping area for two employees. It also recommended advertising for bids for a trailer to be placed on the lot for added employee space.
-- Heard EMS Week plans.
-- Learned of two agencies interested in providing paramedic coverage when the county goes to advanced life support EMS coverage.
At 8:50 p.m., the board and McClanahan retired to executive session to discuss personnel matters. Board members returned at 10:20 p.m. and declared no action had been taken before a motion was made to adjourn the meeting.
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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