Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council Hopes To Collect For Services Provided By

Gurdon Firemen

BY JOHN MILLER

Some area residents don't believe in paying all of their bills -- especially bills owed to the Gurdon Fire Department.

During Monday night's meeting of the Gurdon City Council, GFD Chief Jake McBride said the department is owed about $10,000 for fires fought in 1995-96.

With firefighter's salaries at approximately $12,000 this year, McBride said something needs to be done to collect the money owed. He suggested getting people to sign a promissory note, after the department has fought a fire, agreeing to pay the bill within a year. If the bill is not paid, legal action can then be taken.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith said the city has been compassionate on this issue by not pursuing the billing. No formal action has been taken against those who don't pay their fire bills.

"It's a sensitive situation," Smith said. "But we have elderly people on fixed incomes who pay $25 a month on their fire bill. And there are able-bodied people who aren't even making an attempt to pay theirs."

He reminded the council it had considered selling subscriptions for fire protection in the past, but the measure was rescinded because of possible conflicts with the 911 system.

However, Smith informed the city's governing body, it may still be able to sell subscriptions within the 911 fire district protected by the GFD. This way, he said, people won't be faced with $700 bills when the GFD fights a fire on their property.

David Williams chipped in, suggesting the period for payment be six months with those not making any attempt to pay within this time being taken to small claims court.

McBride said he suggested a year because of the cost involved in some cases. Residents outside the GFD protection area are charged $500 per truck and $25 per man.

Smith said the time frame for payment could be worked out by the council.

During the discussion, someone asked if the GFD would cross its district boundary to fight a fire. McBride said the department will go to other districts on the mutual aid agreement all departments have at the request of another department, or if an individual specifically requests the GFD be the responding entity.

Smith said when the 911 system goes on line, the current GFD phone number won't be disconnected. He said people will still call it instead of 911, until they get used to the new emergency number.

However, the problem is the 911 dispatcher will send the department designated by the fire districts unless a different fire department is requested.

But, the new radios the GFD purchases recently operate on the same frequency as all other volunteer fire departments in the county. This, Smith said, will ensure the GFD knows of all fire calls and can be prepared to respond if needed.

In other business, the council discussed possible cost of living adjustments for all city employees, along with what kind of bonuses to give workers for the holidays.

Smith said the city has always given full-time employees $75 as a Christmas bonus, while part-time workers received $37.50.

Street Department Supervisor Jim Caldwell said several years ago the council (not the current board) voted to give all departments the same amount of raises and bonuses.

He pointed out the Gurdon Water and Sewer Commission voted to give department employees a bonus of 10 percent of their monthly salary.

Williams said the problem is the water department has a commission making decisions for its operation and acts independently of the city council.

Smith said the city's personnel policy committee needs to address this situation and make recommendations to the council as to bonuses and raises so all employees will get the same amount.

The council, though, did vote to give bonuses of $75 to full-time employees and $37.50 to part-time workers.

It will look at COLA's next month.

Smith said he wants to look at the national indexes to see what the cost of living is and make recommendations as to what kind of salary increases to make.

GFD building improvement bids were opened at the meeting, with two received. Hogue Builders submitted a bid of $7,714, while Robert Burns Builders turned in a bid for $6,000.

The panel agreed to give Burns Builders the job as the low bidder.

The project is funded by a grant from the state's Energy Commission. The objective is to make improvements and building modifications to the GFD truck storage bays to reduce the amount of energy needed for climate control and lighting.

This means the existing lighting fixtures will be removed, along with vented gas heaters and the vent piping.

The bay ceiling will be sealed with plywood, with blown-in fiberglass insulation on top of the plywood.

Then, new lighting fixtures will be installed, as will infrared gas heaters and thermostat controls.

Roy Ricketts, a member of the Gurdon Airport Commission, informed the council the commission had never received any city funds for Lowe Field and requested a budget of $4,950 for 1997.

Smith said the city's budget is being worked on at this time, and this is an item needing to be looked at, but it is doubtful there will be enough money for it this year.

Smith also introduced the new city attorney, Rodney Moore, who is employed with the firm of Wright, Chaney and Berry of Arkadelphia. Moore takes over for Eric Hughes.