Following the presentation to Jack McCain, the 911 Commission conducted their regular business meeting Wednesday, April 21.
Rebecca Jones presented the financial statement. She said there were $1.4 million in assets, wireline revenues of roughly $17,000 and wireless revenues of roughly $20,000.
New commissioner Calvin Braxton questioned the operating losses saying it was “losing cash.” Jones explained that revenue accrues Dec. 31. “It looks like we have an influx of revenue in December,” she said. It has to do with the payment scheduling of funding, grants, and a delay in receiving wireline and wireless revenues, etc.
Executive Director Willis Carter said FEMA reimbursement for losses incurred during Hurricane Laura would be $7,093 if approved.
An emergency warning siren in Marthaville was repaired. Cost was $10,000. The damage was filed on insurance that should pay around $8,000. Commissioner Chris Paige asked if any recent study has been done to see if there is a need for more sirens in the parish. Carter said all schools, including the now closed Cloutierville School, have sirens and most communities have sirens. Paige proposed that if more sirens were needed, it would be best to get them now before prices go up.
Carter said sirens are most effective in large group locations such as schools. Individuals get notifications via cell phones and emails.
One effective notification system is Code Red. Commissioner Mary Jones said it is available to all residents. Sign up at https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/FDA188DF8663. Visit NPSheriff.org and type Code Red in the search bar.
Addressing Administrator Bernice Wallace said there were six new address applications in March.
Carter said contract negotiations were continuing with Kim Tolliver, the incoming Executive Director. Carter said they were discussing insurance and benefits.
Paige said he would like to see proposals from several insurance and benefits vendors before a decision was made. He said he didn’t want to get “locked into a good old boys agreement” by using the same vendors without looking at other options.
Commissioner Larry Atteridge said one issue they were encountering was finding someone to insure only one person.
The meeting concluded with the commissioners voting to change the time of their meetings from the third Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This change was proposed to get more public input.