County Rural Fire Plan Coming to Fruition

HUNTINGDON (November 19, 21) – After months of back-and-forth discussions, it appears that the Carroll County Government has decided to move towards creating a standardized county-wide rural fire department. On Tuesday, the Rural Fire Committee and the Budget Committee met jointly to discuss the immediate financial needs of the rural fire department. The Fire Committee provided a list of needs/wants roughly estimated at $466,000.

As part of the discussion, Commissioner Jimmy McClure commented that it was time to move things forward to the full body of the County Commission to establish the Rural Fire Department. He added while there were many needs, the county could look at a lease to purchase program towards new trucks which in turn would help alleviate maintenance costs.

Members of the Fire Committee stated they are aware of multiple grants including those from the TN Fire Marshal’s Office and a Community Development Block Grant but those are not guaranteed. Commissioner Jimmy Halford added that if the county wants to move forward on the plan then the county needs to be prepared to fund the items needed.

Commissioner Dan Willman requested the need to establish an asset management plan (AMP). By setting an AMP, this would consider the life cycle of assets, including their creation, acquisition, operation, maintenance, and replacement.

On Thursday, by a vote of 3-2, the Budget Committee requested a resolution creating a county-wide Rural Fire Department with certain stipulations on meeting the requested needs. Commissioners John Austin and Willie Huffman voted against the resolution as they did not agree with the proposed salary for a new fire chief. Voting in favor were Darrell Ridgely, Lana Suite and Manual Crossno.

In the discussion on financial spending, it was recommended by Commissioner Ridgely that the Fire Department use $161,000 from the insurance reimbursement from the Hico Fire and $272,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This would allow for the purchase of two brush trucks and a mobile air unit. It was noted that $12,300 from the sale of surplus equipment could be used to aid in the purchase of additional equipment.

While members of the committee were on board with the plan, the dissension came with the proposed budgeting of the new fire chief. Austin stated that someone overseeing an operating budget of $350,000 does not necessarily deserve a higher pay rate than an individual overseeing a $3.5 million annual budget. Ridgely responded that he expects county employees to earn their money. He added that the new chief will have to deal with a lot including uniting the multiple districts. Austin replied that the salary is still not justified as the chief needs to prove him or herself first.

In the discussion, it was announced the current chief, Amanda Sneed, will move to administrative assistant once the new chief is named. That assistant position is not a guaranteed permanent position.

Huffman asked if there is a job description for the chief’s position. Mayor Joseph Butler said he and CTAS representative Marc Alley are working on it. He added that the new chief would need a bachelor’s degree and have to hold various certifications.

It was noted that Fayette County, which has a similar demographic to Carroll County, recently went through the creation of a Rural Fire Department and the salary of that chief was roughly $80,000.

As part of the Budget Committee meeting, an occupancy tax was recommended. The tax would be a stacked 4% tax similar to a hotel/motel tax that includes short-term rentals like Airbnbs. This would be county-wide and stack on to the 5% occupancy taxes of McKenzie and Huntingdon. If passed by the Commission, it would provide roughly $40,000 to $50,000 in annual revenue to the county.

The purchase of three new trucks for Solid Waste was approved. The money was allotted through ARPA funds. Director Jeff Heyduck said the maintenance costs were a drain on the department’s budget thus it would be more economical to purchase the new trucks. He added that prices have increased nearly three times the original amount since they started the search and did not receive any bids on possible purchases. The county will now work through state-approved agents for the purchase.

A special called-meeting will be announced in the coming days for December. If recommended by the Resolutions Committee, a vote on the creation of a county-wide fire department and the creation of an occupancy tax will be on the agenda.