ST. MATTHEWS — As recommended and presented by the Calhoun County Fire Commission, County Council approved a formula to distribute funds equitably among the county’s fire departments — a move the commission chairman said he hopes will be temporary.

“Make sure you understand our position,” said Fire Commission Chairman Randy Coleman. “We really want this to be temporary for the rest of the year. This will help us out since we couldn’t get a big plan. ... Hopefully, next fiscal year, we’ll have a countywide system.”

“We’re getting there,” said Council Chairman David Summers. “We’re a lot further than we were.”

Under the local option sales tax plan passed by county voters a little over a year ago, 71 percent goes for property tax reduction. The other 29 percent of the tax is used to help the fire departments. Some $73,400 has been collected to date and $160,000 is expected to come in by the end of the year.

Under the plan, which was unanimously supported by the commission, half the money is to be divided among the stations and substations as a base amount, while the other half will be divided based on population.

Also factored in are the out-of-town and in-town populations served by the fire departments in the municipalities of St. Matthews and Cameron, which also receive the local option sales tax revenues.

“It’s a fair plan. It uses the base station plan which helps smaller stations in sparsely populated areas,” said County Administrator Lee Prickett.

Prickett offered a few additional stipulations to the plan. Fire departments will remain independent contractors and retain all operational control; each department must comply with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules; and the amount of payment will not exceed the amount appropriated. A voucher system, which will be used to provide payments, will also include a financial audit under the county system. Otherwise, departments are to provide a compiled financial statement, rather than a more costly audit.

“It’s imperative that everybody in this room and everybody who is going to hear about this (understand that) this is not replacing the fire fees we so desperately need. ...The fire fees are our backbone,” Coleman said.

Summers suggested that the fire departments consider using the same type of trucks and equipment to make usage easier. He also suggested that departments be careful about using volunteers with health problems that could end up in costly workman’s compensation costs.

In other business, council gave first reading, by title only, to two separate ordinances dealing with the fire departments. One ordinance sets up the transfer of funds from the general fund to a capital improvement fund. The second is for a supplemental appropriation to allocate the local option sales tax revenues.

In other business, council:

n After a public hearing, gave final third reading to an ordinance amendment to adjust the fees charged by the Emergency Medical Services. The adjustment will reflect Medicare billing changes.

n After a public hearing, gave second reading to an ordinance to add a Lexington County property into the Lexington-Calhoun multi-county industrial park. Under the state development incentive, Calhoun County will receive 1 percent of the property tax revenues.

n Accepted the low bid, submitted by Wachovia, for the lease/purchase of a new $85,678 ambulance. The interest rate is 3.79 percent for five years.

n Agreed to the estimated $12,000 to $15,000 proposal from Municipal Code Corp. to put all of the county’s ordinances in a code book. Also, an attorney will meet with the administrator to go over the ordinances.

n Formally adopted the county’s informal travel policy. The individual mileage rate is increased from 35 cents to 37 cents a mile. Also, meals, with receipts, are allowed up to $40 a day.

n Agreed to support EMS Director Bill Minikiewicz in his efforts to retain Cameron Chief of Police Chris Hales as a part time paramedic on his days off.

Minikiewicz, who was to address Town Council on the matter later, said that “someone down there in administration informed (Hales) that he could no longer do that.”

“Chris is a paramedic, police chief and a fire fighter. He’s the ’Utility Man.’ He needs to keep his certification up, his training up, and the best way to do that is to keep active,” said Minikiewicz, who also noted that the sheriff would provide coverage when the chief is off duty.

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