Fire chief seeks brush truck, part-time firefighter and stipend program; commissioners approve budget referral and staffing plan

The Fire Chief presented multiple new budget requests to the commission, stressing wildfire and brush response needs around the lake and new development. On a proposed brush truck he said a three-quarter-ton pickup could carry up to 200 gallons of water versus about 50 gallons in the side-by-side vehicle the department plans to purchase.

On staffing the chief asked for a part-time firefighter to work Monday, Wednesday and Friday — “3 days a week, so it would be 24 hours a week. And 48 hours pay period is $17.50 an hour.” He said the hire would be fully certified and expected to perform station maintenance and EMS responses when not on fire calls.

The chief also proposed a $600 annual stipend for volunteer firefighters tied to performance standards and attendance: “If you don't meet these standards, you're not gonna get your $600 a year.” Commissioners expressed concern about documentation, payroll classification and tax reporting; they directed that personnel rules and payment mechanisms (employee vs. 1099/vendor) be settled by the personnel committee before hiring. The chief requested additional radios and a new pest-control line item and explained some vehicle-sale proceeds might be applied toward equipment.

The commission voted to approve the fire-prevention/control budget items and to refer personnel- and stipend-administration details to the personnel committee. The transcript records a voice vote in favor; no roll-call or numeric tally was provided.