Commission Approves County-Wide Fire Department

HUNTINGDON (December 9) — After several months of debate, Carroll County officially has a standardized county-wide fire department. On Monday, December 9, the Carroll County Commission voted 19-1 to create the department. The one vote against its creation came from Commissioner Daniel Willman who wanted a more thorough plan moving forward.

Commissioner Lana Suite, who chairs the Rural Fire Committee, stated that to begin moving forward with a plan they must first pass the resolution to create the department.

Other commissioners asked for a job description and qualifications for the new chief. County Mayor Joseph Butler stated he used a template provided through the State and CTAS. In the verbiage, it states, “Responsibilities include: reviewing the general operation of the department to determine efficiency; providing direction on major projects or problem areas; planning for the future; developing and implementing policies and procedures; providing policy guidance and providing support for volunteers; and emergency response. The Fire Chief develops and recommends improvements for the protection of life and property in the community to the County Mayor, Rural Fire Committee, and the Carroll County Legislative Body.

“Essential Functions: plans, coordinates, administers, and directs the activities and staff involved in the daily operations of the fire department; plans, develops, and implements department goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and guidelines; plan, organizes, leads, and directs a progressive public service agency with several functional areas to provide optimum fire services; develops, administers, and monitors the department budget; directs the forecasting of future needs; directs and participates in the development of the department’s work plan; assigns projects and programs; reviews and evaluates methods and results; plan, prepare, and administer an annual departmental budget. Coordinates department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies; performs research, analyzes findings, prepares recommendations and reports for the County Mayor; responds to, and resolves, the most sensitive or complex complaints or problems; responds to major fire alarms and other emergency incidents; represents the County in relationships with outside agencies, community groups, and the public; represents the department at various conferences, conventions, and other meetings; speaks before public and professional groups to provide information on department activities and programs and to promote public understanding and awareness; develops special projects as requested by County Mayor; oversees a countywide fire training program for all stations, employees, and volunteers.

“Certifications, Licenses, Registrations: Must the certification as Firefighter I & II; must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license; NIMS courses IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700, and IS-800; Tennessee certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), with Advanced Emergency Medical Technician or higher being preferred; bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a major in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is preferred; Fire Instructor I and Fire Officer I and II; and Executive Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer is preferred.”

As part of the meeting, additional resolutions were included. In this were budget amendments (Resolution 12-03-24). Commissioner John Austin stated he was not happy with the fact that the salary for the new chief was bundled in the amendments and that it was a disservice to the citizens of the county. He then called for the salary portion to be separated by amending the resolution. The motion failed to receive the necessary ⅔ majority required.

From there, Austin stated he was not in favor of the proposed salary as it was the highest amongst non-elected officials. According to Austin, the proposed $70,000-plus salary would go to an individual who does not manage a budget as substantial as that of Solid Waste. Commissioner Jimmy Halford responded that Carroll County should be putting more money into Rural Fire and should be more serious about having a fire department.

The response to Halford’s suggestion was, “How do you plan to pay for the increase.” Halford replied, “Then I guess we have to raise taxes.”

Also questioned was the salary of Interim-Fire Chief Amanda Snead. Once a new chief is named, Snead will move down to administrative assistant. At her current salary, she will make more than any other “deputy/clerk” in the county. It was stated her retention and role will be defined in the future by the chief.

Austin was the sole commissioner to vote against Resolution 12-03-24. Included in the amendments were Recycling/Solid Waste - $20,000 — Solid Waste is purchasing three new recycling trucks at $62,623 utilizing previously allocated ARPA funds for $168,987 with the amendment/transfer of $20,000 covering the remainder of the cost. Rural Fire - $12,300 — these are funds received from surplus scrap equipment sale, to be used to purchase small items on the Fire Department’s immediate needs list; Rural Fire - $161,802 (from fund balance to motor vehicles) — this includes funds from insurance recovery funds from the Hico fire station $61,339.38 and Hico pumper truck $100,462.50 which will, in turn, be used to purchase the following: two brush truck Chassis estimated at $40,000, one Air Van/Truck – estimated at $120,000. Rural Fire - $50,250 (from fund balance to salary/benefits) — the funds are for salary, benefits, and deductions for a new position of the Carroll County Fire Chief with an estimated start date of January 1, 2025.

In less dramatic form, the Commission approved Resolution 12-02-2024 to levy an occupancy tax in Carroll County. This authorizes a maximum rate of occupancy tax established of 4% within Carroll County in both the unincorporated and incorporated jurisdictions, which would stack onto any existing occupancy tax in an incorporated jurisdiction. Currently, McKenzie and Huntingdon have a municipal occupancy tax of 5%.

The next regular meeting of the Carroll County Commission will be on January 13, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Carroll County Government Complex.

*The writer of the article holds an elected seat to the Carroll County Commission.