Fire chief: purchase orders pending for central station work; board approves truck transfer and firefighter hire

Claiborne County Fire Chief reported Aug. 18 that requisitions for remodeling the central fire station and replacing the Patterson station roof had been submitted but that purchase orders had not yet been issued. The chief asked the county administrator and purchasing office to check status. The board approved transferring an F-255 truck from the fire department to the road department so the road mechanics could repair and certify it for safe use. “I would like to entertain a motion to transfer the F-255 truck over to the road department… and that once it's at the road department, they'll be able to do the necessary mechanical work… and have it certified before the use of it,” the chief said; Supervisor Odom moved and Supervisor Hudson seconded; the chair announced the motion carried. Nut graf: The fire chief also requested payment for vendors the department said had not been paid and asked the board’s permission to rehire Patrick Skye as a firefighter; the board approved the hire pending drug and background checks. Unpaid vendor invoices and procurement follow-up The chief said vendors including Cowboy and Milona, Mid South Uniform and Eagle Eye Communication indicated they had not been paid and that invoices dated before March remained outstanding. The county administrator agreed to investigate why purchase orders had not issued for previously approved work. Hire and vehicle transfer The board approved hiring Patrick Skye as a firefighter (Tier 2) with a proposed start date of Sept. 3, pending a drug test and background check. The board also approved the vehicle transfer; staff said repairs and certification would be completed at the road department before the vehicle returned to service. Ending The chief noted that vendor quotes are typically valid 30 days and that materials prices may change while purchase orders are pending; he asked staff to expedite purchase orders if paperwork was in order.