New Salem Volunteer Fire Department

The agenda for the regular meeting includes several operational and financial considerations. Key items involve the review and potential approval of monthly financial reports and payment of bills, as well as reviewing revenue transfers. Substantive actions include considering communications and technology improvements, such as antenna, coax, and fencing for the Laneville tower. The Board will also discuss the approval of reimbursements to various Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs) for equipment (bunker gear, tires) and repairs. Other items include considering the moving and piping of a donated water tank, providing fire hydrants to a water supply, potential approval for strategic planning workshop dates, and the possible issuance of a Quitclaim Deed to the City of Henderson. The agenda also covers emergency generator replacements/repairs at specific VFDs and the assignment of ordered rapid response engines.

The meeting covered public comments that included reminders for departments to forward direct records requests, maintain current RMS status for funding eligibility, and announcements for upcoming training and department events. Key financial actions included the approval of the financial report, detailing beginning and ending balances across multiple accounts (Sales and Use tax, Obligations, General Money Market, and Operations), and the approval of bill payments and revenue transfers for October. The board also addressed communications and technology improvements, approving the purchase of a computer with adapters, 10 mics for P25 radios, and security cameras for the Laneville tower site. Approvals were granted for reimbursements to Church Hill VFD for a generator installation and PPE, and to Mt. Enterprise VFD for brush truck repairs. The board also approved reimbursement to Carlisle VFD for overhead door repairs, and approved paying off a loan for a new generator for Tatum VFD. Additionally, the board approved a proposal for consulting costs and agreed to cover the food costs for the 2026 annual Firefighters Appreciation Banquet. A proposed MOA with Christus EMS was tabled, and a request for a change order on the Laneville VFD brush truck was tabled due to quorum concerns. A discussion on HB 4214 concluded the meeting, noting the necessary report filing.

The primary purpose of this special called meeting was the review and potential approval of bids received for the New Salem station construction project. The Board reviewed bids that were previously opened on December 18, 2025, noting extreme variations in site work costs across bidders. After initial review, the Board narrowed consideration to four finalists: SCI, Hendrick & Arp, Stansell, and Davidson Builders. Following a second review and reference check, the Board unanimously approved the bid submitted by Davidson Builders. The Board Member Jiffy Dukes will notify unsuccessful bidders and a contract will be drawn up for attorney approval and execution.

The meeting included a review of departmental attendance, public comments concerning mutual aid with Nacogdoches ESD #2, and presentation of the monthly financial report with detailed account balances. Key actions included the approval of the payment of bills and authorization for fund transfers between accounts. The Board reviewed, but took no action on, a memo from the Attorney regarding board member terms. A motion was passed to approve monthly financial reports and RMS reporting from District VFDs, authorizing funding withholding for non-compliant departments. Approvals were granted for a modified MOA with Christus EMS, a change order for the Laneville brush truck, discontinuation of the annual stipend for Chaplain Horne while retaining the hourly rate, and an increase in annual payment to the Henderson Fire Department to $60,000.00. The Board also approved funding assistance for the Rusk County Firefighters Association Appreciation Banquet, cost shares for county engine repairs and rescue tools for Church Hill and Crims Chapel VFDs, a cost share for a possible PPE grant for Church Hill VFD, reimbursement for bunker gear for Laneville VFD, a PPE grant cost share with Laneville VFD, rescue tools for the Reklaw VFD, and reimbursement for Fire Academy costs and failed hose replacement for the Reklaw VFD. Bids were opened for the New Salem VFD station without action taken, and the annual report to TDEM was approved.

Key discussions included an announcement regarding a potential water tank acquisition for the Eastside VFD, contingent on future agenda consideration. The Board approved the financial report, including detailed Sales and Use Tax, Money Market, and checking account balances, as well as the payment of bills and revenue transfers. The Board unanimously approved amendments to balance the 2025 budget due to unexpected truck grants and tender purchases, and also amended the 2026 budget to cover carry-over expenses from 2025. The Quarterly Investment report was approved, confirming collateralization of deposits. The Board approved publishing the annual Notice of Administrative Address. Several communications and technology improvements were approved for the Laneville tower site, including a grounding ring, fencing, mini-splits, and generator wiring. Approval was granted to license the Rusk County ESD facility to Christus EMS for EMR training classes through June 2026. A procedure was established to allow Board Member Dukes to approve change orders under $5,000 for the New Salem Station build, provided he consults another Board Member first. The Board approved a reimbursement for EMT class costs for the Carlisle VFD and a one-time approval for vehicle repair cost reimbursement exceeding the annual limit for the Carlisle VFD. A request to increase annual funding for the Elderville/Lakeport VFD was tabled until the February meeting pending review of territory and call volume maps.