After two hours of discussions Monday, the Miller County Volunteer Fire Department budget committee chairman said the meeting was a "new beginning."
The discussions suggested rules for inventory checks for fire departments.
"We want to be open and transparent," said Bill Oliver, finance administrator for the association.
The association consists of nine departments: Boggy Creek, Genoa, Mandeville, Bright Star,
Trinity, Satellite, Pleasant Hill, Doddridge and Booker Bridge, with nine operating budgets per fire department.
Each fire department budget will have line items for specific spending and may have a miscellaneous line for unspecific spending.
Proposed budgets are prepared by each department based on past information and current or future needs.
- Money may be donated to the volunteer fire department as a whole or at the individual department level.
- All money donated to the fire department must be turned into the treasurer's office as new money.
- Money must be appropriated by the Quorum Court to be used properly in accordance with applicable laws.
- Departments shall not use tax money to fund organized fundraising events.
- Comply with all policies and assure the integrity of Miller County and the volunteer fire departments.
- No fire department will engage in any overt act that is either illegal or unconstitutional.
- As a county department, no member shall endorse a political candidate.
- A minimum age of 18 must have been reached to work fire ground operations or emergencies.
- All drivers of fire department vehicles will be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license and must be insurable and have completed the emergency driving course.