MINUTES

Board of Directors Special Meeting

Jasper County Emergency Services

May 24^th 2021

Chairman Fries called the meeting to order at 11:37 a.m. Meeting was held at the Board office, 13870 Dispatch Lane, Carthage, MO and on Zoom as per public notice. Present in addition to Chairman Fries (Zoom), Greg Dagnan (in person), Dan Stanley (in person), Carl Francis (in person), Ron Brewer (Zoom), James Harrison (Zoom) and Tim Wilson (Zoom). Representing staff was Office Support Clerk Amber Madison and Executive Director April Ford, both in person.

Agenda was not fax to media outlets until 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21^st due to setting up the zoom instructions for call information and paying bills online.  It was posted on the door as normal.

No public represented.

Unfinished Business:

                Election 2021 – Funding for Technology, Radios, Staffing & Infrastructure Projects

Executive Director Ford presented the ballot language as approved by Frank Foster, legal counsel to the Board.  She explained that Frank suggested it was clear and simple for the community and public to understand.  She feels the language clears up the ballot purpose.

Shall the Jasper County Emergency Services 9-1-1 Board through its Board of Directors be permitted to increase its current sales tax rate of one tenth (1/10^th) of one percent to a sales tax rate up to and not to exceed one quarter (1/4^th) of one percent of taxable sales for infrastructure, a county-wide radio system, and to ensure rapid dispatching of all 9-1-1 calls and non-emergency calls for service to law enforcement, emergency medical services and fire protection?

Director Dagnan asked if this will interfere with the METS contract.  Ford said we will need to look into that and they pay $35,000 a year for dispatching services and additional for some special software interface they have.  Director Francis said this locks us into a county-wide radio system, but we will only do one radio system for the county.  Ford explained that all agencies being dispatched to any call from JASCO need to be on the same radio system.  Director Francis asked if that included Webb City and Carl Junction and Ford explained that both Webb City and Carl Junction’s emergency calls are dispatched by JASCO and it would be best to have them all on the same system. 

Director Dagnan motioned to approve the ballot language presented, but include “public safety” after county-wide and before radio system. Director Harrison seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.

Vote:                    

Fries                      –              In Favor

Harrison               –              In Favor

Dagnan                 –              In Favor

Stanley                 –              In Favor

Francis                  –              In Favor

Wilson                  –              In Favor

Brewer                 –              In Favor

Amended Ballot Language:

Shall the Jasper County Emergency Services 9-1-1 Board through its Board of Directors be permitted to increase its current sales tax rate of one tenth (1/10^th) of one percent to a sales tax rate up to and not to exceed one quarter (1/4^th) of one percent of taxable sales for infrastructure, a county-wide public safety radio system, and to ensure rapid dispatching of all 9-1-1 calls and non-emergency calls for service to law enforcement, emergency medical services and fire protection?

Director Stanley motioned to put the amended ballot language on the August 3^rd, 2021 election. Director Wilson seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.

Vote:                    

Fries                      –              In Favor

Harrison               –              In Favor

Dagnan                 –              In Favor

Stanley                 –              In Favor

Francis                  –              In Favor

Wilson                  –              In Favor

Brewer                 –              In Favor

Executive Director Ford will send out final ballot language and will work with the Board’s Service Committee to finalize talking points to use when educating the public safety agencies and the public.  They will have more discussion regarding the talking points at the June 1^st meeting.

12:05 p.m. Director Dagnan motioned to adjourn. Director Francis seconded the motion. Vote: 7-0. The motion was adopted.

The next Board Meeting is set for Tuesday, June 1^st at 12:00 a.m.                              

On the________ day of ________________2021

I, Jeff Fries, Chairman ___________________________certify these Jasper County Emergency Services Board Meeting Minutes for___________________________.  They have been reviewed and are accurate.

On the ________day of_________________2021

I, Dan Stanley, Director __________________________ attest the Jasper County Emergency Services Board Meeting Minutes for ___________________________.  They have been reviewed and are accurate.