SFC Justices deny changing formula for Act 833 funds
FC Fire Department seeks increase in share of state turnback money
The St. Francis County Quorum Court on Tuesday voted against a resolution to change the distribution formula for Act 833 funds to fire departments throughout the county.
Justices heard from Forrest City Fire Chief Shane Dallas, Colt Fire Chief Jim Haynes and Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department Chief Samuel Pettus regarding the possibility of changing the distribution.
SFC Judge Gary Hughes said he was asked by several justices to provide some history on the Act 833 funds in the county.
"Act 833 funds are special funds that are generated through the state through property insurance premiums that are paid," said Hughes. "This money is funneled back to our fire departments to buy fire equipment and to take care of any special needs they have. We have a group called the intergovernmental council. This council consists of all of the mayors throughout St. Francis County. They have certain responsibilities, and one of those responsibilities is the decision to change the distribution of these funds to the fire departments.
They met on August 30 where all of the mayors were present, except for Mayor Cedric Williams and Mayor Bobby Hardrick. They voted unanimously to make a change in how the funds are distributed. Their recommendation comes to the Quorum Court today for final approval. If you deny the recommendation, then the payout will continue to be the same."
Hughes said the distribution of the Act 833 funds was changed in 2012 after smaller fire departments in the county asked that a change be made.
"The total amount of distribution back in 2010 was $157,000," said Hughes. "In 2012, I had a request from the smaller fire departments to call a meeting to try to get the distribution changed. At that time, it was based on the population of each city. In 2012, we held a meeting and changed the way the funds were distributed. The mayors decided that Forrest City would receive $50,000 and the remaining funds would be distributed equally among the other fire departments. That is how the money has been distributed over the last 10 years. The way it was written 10 years ago, Forrest City would receive $50,000 and the rest would be distributed equally. What has happened is the total amount that is distributed has practically doubled. Everybody else's money from 2012 has doubled, but Forrest City is still only getting $50,000. The proposal that the mayors unanimously agreed upon was to give Forrest City 25% of the payout going forward."
The resolution was sponsored by Justice Chris Ray, who is also a full-time fireman and Battalion Chief with the Forrest City Fire Department.
"I know that Madison, Caldwell and the other smaller departments get assistance from
Forrest City when they need it," said Justice Roy Winfrey. "However, not too long ago, the Newcastle Fire Department had a fire and they called the Forrest City Fire Department. Did they show up?"
"One, they were unavailable because they were on another fire," said Pettus.
"I just wanted to know how that would affect anything," said Winfrey. "I know they have a fivemile limit or something like that."
"If you would like someone to address that tonight, you have got to call on them because nobody signed up to speak tonight," said Hughes. "The Forrest City Fire Chief is here tonight and if you want him to address that, you will have to call on him."
"Do you mind addressing that, Mr. Dallas?” asked Winfrey. "How much assistance would a department like Newcastle get?"
Dallas said FCFD officials are not saying they would not be there to help other departments, regardless of the decision.
"Any time Newcastle calls, if we are available, we come," said Dallas. "Pretty much every structure fire they have, we go. Any time there is a structure fire in Madison, we send a truck. When I send a truck out of town, we have to turn in the alarm, which causes $1,000 in overtime