Jacksonville, AL – The Agendad Meeting of the Calhoun County 911 Board was scheduled for July 26th, at 1:00 p.m.

  • Meeting called to order
  • The Roll Call for Members

    • Director Chairman Director Chief Gary Sparks, Oxford Fire Department The Oxford Fire Department Present
    • Chairman Vice-Chairman Shane Denham, Anniston Police Department (Retired) (Retired) Present
    • Board Chairman Chair Jeff Waldrep, Anniston Fire Department Present: Present
    • Board Chairman Van Roberts Sr., Quad Cities VFD (Retired) Present Present
    • Board Member Chief Marcus Wood, Jacksonville Police Department – Present
    • The Board member Board Member Sheriff Matthew Wade, Calhoun County Sheriff Office Present: Sheriff Matthew Wade, Calhoun County Sheriff Office Present
    • Board Member Phillip Winkles, Piedmont Rescue Director (Retired) – Absent
  • Approval of Agenda

    Unanimously approved with notes of modifications

    • Three items were added under new business

      • Surplus Equipment
      • DHS Grant Application
      • Executive Session to Talk about Loss Mitigation
  • Approval of Minutes

    Unanimously approved

    • May 18th, regular scheduled meeting
    • Special call meeting on June 22nd
  • Appropriation of Financial Reports –

    Unanimously approved

    • The audits for 2021 and 2022 were conducted with Gerald G. Pentecost, Jr., CPA. He. Pentecost certified that there no issues with compliance, and also that there were three checks in place, which created an efficient system. When asked why the 2021 audit delay, he explained that he could only conduct an audit when the books are prepared to be evaluated. He acknowledged that it is common to receive the books sooner than he usually receive the books. He also was able to say that he could conduct the audit, or assist in the day-to-day accounting. He stated that in order to preserve authenticity of audit process, there were a lot of things, such as the accounting software he was not able to access. The issue was discussed as having created a scope of work in the form of an RFP for new business as well as in response to questions regarding the most up state for the accounts.
  • Old Business

    • Cherokee County Communications System RUA Addendum –

      Unanimously approved

      • In the year 2015, the County 9-1-1 signed the sublet of the land to equipment and an antenna. The Board was informed that this land was leased through Cherokee County Communications. It has been brought to the Boards attention that this easement which Cherokee County may not own. In light of this, an amendment is being made to say that if the land or the equipment located on it are removed or lost, Calhoun County 9-1-1 would be compensated.
  • New Business

    • Accounting RFP –

      Unanimously approved

      • In the wake of the resignation of the Calhoun County’s former 9-1-1 CPA the new position has been created. Gerald G. Pentecost, Jr., CPA was present at the June 22nd, special meeting to establish the scope of work in order that a formal announcement could be created. The motion was passed to issue this RFP by an undetermined date by the Executive Director and Chairman.
    • WonderLic –

      Unanimously approved upon approval of the 91-1 Board


      Attorney

      • The Executive Director would like to make use of a newer aptitude test for candidates prior to hiring. The cost will be $7,300. This is a significant increase over the previous version, which cost $4,800.
      • The board had a discussion regarding the legal language used in the contract. Board member Roberts asked for a more thorough review to ensure that there was no information that could be considered sensitive by the WonderLic company by using the testing software.
    • Surplus Equipment –

      Unanimously approved

        • There are two vehicles that were requested to be classified as surplus. One of them would be sold on GovDeals while the other will go to Arc in Calhoun in addition to Cleburn Counties.
    • DHS Grant Application –

      Unanimously approved

          • This is a request to fill out an application for the DHS Grant for $170,000 for purchase of redundant, uninterruptible power sources. The issue was reported in the past with a poster interruption that resulted in phone lines being shut down. The new equipment will assist in ensuring this wouldn’t occur again.
    • Executive Session Unanimously Appropriated
  • Board Chairman / Director Comments

      • No comments
  • Comments from Board Members

    • Board Chairman Marcus Wood stated he was not sure what was decided at the special Called Meeting. He was convinced the chairman Gerald G. Pentecost, Jr., CPA would finish the audits, establish the scope of work and present up-to-date reports on the current financial status. This was in stark contrast to the things was said by Mr. Pentecost stated he could accomplish at the present meeting. A majority of board members agreed that the impression was financial reports would be developed. This ambiguity leaves the board with a lack of clarity about the financial status. There was a discussion about hiring an interim CPA to visit the office and review the current financial situation. Another alternative is to let the current employees manage the basing payables and accounts receivable until the position is filled in September, which will be the closing date in the year’s fiscal. The Executive Director Kevin Jenkins, felt that his staff and he had a good grasp about the present situation of the accounts and that a lot of time could be spent educating the process to the temporary employee. Kevin Jenkins felt it would be more efficient to hold off until after the end of the fiscal year and hire a permanent CPA who would then be able to complete all reports and check all accounts prior to the audit in 2023 being completed. After much discussion, the board voted to abandon the motion in the same manner as was previously voted and wait until the formal sending an Accounting RFP.
  • Adjournment of the meeting Unanimously approved

The Calhoun County 9-1-1 Emergency District Board of Commissioners is appointed by the Calhoun County Commission to oversee the operations for the Emergency Communication District. The Board has an Executive Director who oversees the day-today activities.