The NBCEDS1 held a Regular meeting on February 17, 2025. Trustees welcomed the new Commissioner Doug Fowler, and a quorum was established. There were no Citizen Comments.
Officer elections were held, and the 2025-2026 officers are: David O’Bannon, President; Doug Fowler, Vice President; and Kay Odiorne, Secretary-Treasurer. Commissioners Kirk McElhinney and Brandt Raeburn motioned for approval, and all signature cards will be updated to reflect the new officers.
Minutes of the December meeting were approved following motion from Commissioners McElhinney and Odiorne, and the Treasurer’s Report was approved following motion from Commissioners McElhinney and Raeburn.
Raeburn and Fowler motioned for selection of Option #3 regarding overpayment of sales tax payback which resulted from an error by the state. Option #3 includes recapture savings for interest; this motion carried.
Also discussed was the 2023 F550 Rescue Truck recently purchased by the JCVFD which was $24,870 over budget. This truck is an upgrade from a dually truck to super single capacity.
JCVFD President Ray Bible recapped that when the new truck was ordered last year the intent was for a dual wheel. “We weren’t in a big hurry, and we had saved money from the past few fish fries. We knew ESD money was tight, so we didn’t put this in our 5-year plan.”
“As time passed the rescue trucks are seeing significant overuse, and we began checking into a super single which is a more durable truck than a dually. The Demo Rescue was available, and it was all we needed. This is a medium duty truck that can carry all our tools unlike the lighter duty Rescue trucks.”
“We made a $50,000 deposit on the $350K truck. We had most of the money and we knew if we didn’t take this truck we’d be three more years out. We still owe $100K to pay it off but we don’t want to take that out of savings. We have some substantial donations lined up and after the next fish fry we should have the F550 truck paid off.”
“Before we had the new truck ready to roll the transmission blew on Rescue 2 which left us with one Rescue truck which was our backup. The new truck is now our first truck out and the lighter duty trucks are our second and third trucks.”
“The additional $24,870 was a good investment as it would lessen damage to the other trucks as well as give us a better equipped truck for our needs.”
“Going forward we are in good shape right now with our trucks including the Brush truck the ESD bought, and we don’t expect to buy any others. If we do need to buy something we will let the ESD know.”
O’Bannon and the ESD Board asked why the JCVFD did not come to them to request help with purchasing the F550 because that’s what they are there for. O’Bannon said, “It comes down to what you need, so talk to us about what you need.”
Blanco County EMS Chief Ben Oakley agreed, “If you need something more than I do I am happy to defer my capital request out. EMS has found too that pricing for remounts is coming in significantly over budget.”
Bible said that the truck availability was a surprise and came up quickly, the JCVFD was concerned about its fleet of Rescue trucks, and the department did not want to put a hardship on the ESD which might divert funds from the other service provider entities.
O’Bannon and the ESD Board reiterated that they are there to help all service providers with their needs and no one should hesitate to reach out.
O’Bannon recommended that all service providers maintain funds for one year of operating expenses, and O’Bannon and McElhinney recommended planning for an extra 15% for contingencies for capital purchases. Fowler and McElhinney
motioned to refund the over budget amount of $24,870 to the JCVFD; motion passed.
Johnson City VFD December and January Service Provider Reports
Bible reported that in December there were 40 service calls with 138 responders, and average response time of 7.21 minutes. “Our MVA’s continue to be extremely high. We trained on Tender 51 Pump-ops and tools.”
The department requested $9,487.96 for December expenses which was approved following a motion from McElhinney and Raeburn.
“For January we had 42 calls, 188 responders, and average response time of 3.43 minutes. January training was on the new Rescue truck. Our January draw request is for $12,990.05 which is mostly for EMS school for one member, insurance, and propane for all tanks,” said Bible. Raeburn and Odiorne motioned for payment of the draw; motion carried.
Round Mountain VFD December and January Service Provider Reports
President Bill Burden gave the December Run Report which consisted of 16 service calls with average responders of 4.6 per calls and average response time of 10.01 which is less than a year ago.
“December included the big White Creek Fire of 160 acres and as many as 75 people on the scene with no injuries. It took three days to fully turn it back to the landowner. Our Command truck is an ‘07 Rescue and we will need to look at replacing it.”
“Our December draw request is $9,059.22 for moving the highway light pole, our share of cost for the Live Fire training, and annual servicing for Scuba Gear.” McElhinney and Raeburn motioned to fund the draw.
Burden continued, “For January there were 21 calls, 4.5 responders per call and 10.8 minutes response time, and our call volume is significantly up. Trainings were ladder deployment, two patient rescue trainings, and pediatric assessment training.”
“Our capital expense draw is for $46,622.40 for a pump manifold on 645 inhouse, well repair and we saved the department hundreds of dollars in labor repairs. We are looking to improve our ISO rating, and we have two new probationary recruits. Our operating draw request is $10,501.98.” Raeburn and Fowler motioned to approve the request.
EMS December and January Service Provider Reports
Blanco County Community Health Paramedicine (CHP) Coordinator Wesley Patton shared the operations reports for his department.
“In December we had 19 referrals with 13 for mental health services. Geographically was as follows: Blanco, 16; Johnson City, 21; Round Mountain, 4; Spring Branch, 1; and Kendalia, 1. CHP had 102 calls with 72 CHP responses and 30 others.”
“For January there were 12 referrals with 7 for mental health, and geographics were: Blanco, 16; Johnson City, 19; Round Mountain, 4; Spring Branch, 1; and Kendalia, 1. There were 113 CHP calls with 78 CHP responses and 35 for others.”
Patton said that in March the CHP Division will attend a Crisis and Hospice Negotiator Class in Fredericksburg. “We’ve recently had some large mental health calls which required extensive hours of negotiating and talking with patients to get them out of their houses to safely resolve situations.”
“I was chosen to present at the Texas Association of Pre-trial Services Conference in May and am presenting on what we do for clients between jail and trial.”
“My partner Meaghan Hays was recently accepted into Nurse Practitioner School which will be to the betterment of Blanco County.”
Oakley reported on December operations which included 74 calls and a response time of 10.19. “The weather affected our numbers, and we had 64% transport rate and 39% acuity levels which was super high.”
“January calls totaled 76 with response time of 7.40, transport rate of 60%, and 37% acuity which was critical. Our new ambulance is being licensed with the state. Our capital request is $66,000 for four ventilators. Training for those is scheduled for March.”
“One of our EMT’s has passed his paramedic exam which is huge. Through donations we have procured a Lucas device which delivers automated CPR.”
Oakley added, “The big news is that as of January 30th we have whole blood which was deployed for our Command Unit. We have been working on this project for six years, and this is all from donated funds. Captain Sean Wolfe enabled us to take this project across the finish line and it is something our county has needed for a long time. It’s now on the streets, and it’s ready.”
O’Bannon asked how many other rural areas have whole blood. Oakley said it’s becoming more widely used and is in use by approximately 40 counties across the state.
“Llano, Burnet, and Hayes do not have it, and Gillespie just went online. Bulverde-Spring Branch does have it. The goal is to get Senate funding for blood into every Texas county and help offset expenses of existing programs. Cost is about $450 per unit, which is about a half liter of blood.”
“Blanco County needs funding as well but we are carrying it because clinically it’s the right thing to do for critically hemorrhaging patients and it’s the only thing that will save their lives. Blanco County has caught media attention because we do not have a hospital.”
Payment of the ESD bills of $7,793.42 which included audit cost was approved following motion from McElhinney and Raeburn, and the meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm with motion from Raeburn and McElhinney. The next ESD1 meeting is scheduled for March 17th at 7:00 pm.
