Scott County Fire Department leadership presented a proposal July 24 to consolidate two company‑officer ranks — lieutenant and captain — into one company officer title, arguing the two current job descriptions are nearly identical and a single rank would simplify operations and improve flexibility. The presentation was informational only; the court took no formal action.

Chief John Ward and others said neighboring departments of similar size typically use a single company‑officer rank and the split ranks can create confusion in mutual‑aid responses. Ward said promotional testing for both lieutenant and captain is nearly identical and consolidation could reduce costs paid to external vendors for promotion testing.

Officials described operational benefits: the consolidated rank could let personnel with higher technical certifications (rope, trench, swift‑water) be assigned to specialized rescue apparatus regardless of title and could increase the pool of eligible candidates when a battalion chief position opens. Ward said the department has discussed the proposal with current captains and lieutenants and heard “more favorability” but the leading concern at the meetings was pay equity for lieutenants who would assume the new company‑officer title.

Court members pressed on compensation and timeline. One magistrate asked whether the county could gradually make the change through attrition; county staff estimated a straight title change for all lieutenants to captain could cost roughly $150,000–$200,000 in one step. County leaders said they will bring a fleshed‑out compensation proposal and additional data to a future work session and invited court questions by email in the meantime. No policy or pay changes were adopted at the meeting.