Purchases Made, Policies and Benefit Increase Approved

SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Fire Board learned about the new Type 6 Fire Engine purchase and others by the District at their June 19 meeting. They also approved full payment for employees' health insurance premium and considered a new insurance agent.

Fire Chief Dave Lane purchased a new Type 6 fire engine for $48,995. It is a 2007 Ford F-550 two-ton, six-speed manual transmission with four doors. The truck has 98,000 miles. It also has a 225-gallon water tank with foam capability.

Lane drove down to Utah to pick up the Type 6 which saved the District shipping. It joined the fleet Saturday.

When asked by the board, Lane informed them about the District's purchase of a 4X8 utility trailer. Lane said it allows the district the ability to move equipment without having to load into trucks or personal vehicles. No further discussion was needed.

Lane said the District is the only agency or department within Missoula County that doesn't pay 100 percent of the employee health care premium. Missoula County also pays a percentage of the dependent premium. Employees pay $49.50 towards the $659.50 monthly premium.

Lane asked the board to come in line with the rest of Missoula County and provide 100 percent premium coverage for the employees.

Vice-chair Gary Lewis said his concern is the difference between Missoula and Seeley Lake. The Seeley Lake District doesn't make the amount of money departments in Missoula do. That said, he isn't opposed to the request and feels they should take care of their people.

Board Chair Scott Kennedy said they haven't adjusted the premium payment since it was capped back in the early 2010s. He sees it as a benefit of the job.

The board unanimously agreed to approve full coverage for employees to be revisited and approved every year to account for any premium increases.

John Howard with Payne West Insurance presented the board with a package to change insurance agents from HUB International to Payne West Insurance. The District's insurance carrier would not change, only the agent.

"We just feel that we can improve the service you are getting," said Howard.

Howard said Payne West Insurance has dedicated people that work for the clients to bring additional training to the department. They also offer claim advocates free to their clients to ensure, if there were a claim, the District would have the best representation.

The board took no action but said they would be in touch.

In other business:

• During board reorganization, Scott Kennedy was elected to remain the chair, Gary Lewis remains vice-chair and Connie Clark was elected secretary.

• The cubby project is finished. All the volunteers have been issued their new turnouts with a bag to store them.

• The board unanimously approved the amendments Lane proposed to the administration and standard operating procedures upon the county attorney's recommendation. A full list is available at the District. Chief Dave Lane said the language has been adjusted to not be so harsh but is still definitive.

"We want to incorporate behavior of change, not just discipline. Let's help people succeed in this. Let's remind them about their behaviors and move forward with that," said Lane. "We want to keep our members, change behaviors and do it in a way that keeps them."

• Missoula County posted the lease payments and utility reimbursements for Station 2 rental.

• The board approved $2,500 towards Chief Lane's moving expenses. This is half of the total expense. This was not included in the original contract and was requested of the board by Lane at the May board meeting.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be July 17 at 6 p.m. at the Fire Hall. The agenda, special meeting announcements and minutes are posted on the District's website http://www.seeleyfire.org