Commission approves interlocal agreement with Thompson Station to fund county fire captain position

The Williamson County Board of Commissioners on July 14 approved an interlocal agreement with the town of Thompson Station to fund an administrative fire captain who will be based at a county station but serve the county system. Commissioner Judy Herbert explained the measure and said the agreement splits recurring salary and benefits and funds equipment and a county-owned vehicle. The resolution (7-25-8), as amended during debate, passed 17–4.

Commissioner Herbert said the total cost after an amendment to reduce medical insurance by $500 is $300,275.33. Connor Scott, who answered commissioners’ questions, said Thompson Station would pay half of the salary and benefits (about $60,000), while the county would cover one-time equipment and vehicle costs and the remainder of the package. "The deal we work with them is for them to pay half of salary and benefits, and we would cover equipment of which the bulk of that, of course, is a vehicle," Scott said.

Scott said the captain will be stationed at Station 23 (on Top of Station Road) and will respond countywide. He described fire captains in the county as having system-wide responsibilities with specialized roles such as training, recruitment and vehicle maintenance, and said the position’s expertise would benefit the entire county, not just Thompson Station. Thompson Station officials have also agreed to contribute toward other costs, including dispatch fees and staffing at an anticipated Burwood Station.

Several commissioners raised concerns about funding equity between incorporated and unincorporated areas. Commissioner Paul Webb said he voted against the measure to highlight what he called a growing imbalance: residents inside cities pay city taxes for public safety, while county residents in unincorporated subdivisions are relying on county-funded services. Commissioner Greg Sanford and others urged Thompson Station to increase its contribution.

Commissioners asked county leadership to bring an update on fire service and funding strategies later this year; county staff said they plan to present an update to the commission in September or October that will revisit recommendations from the public-safety task force and current system metrics.

The interlocal agreement passed after the commission approved an amendment reducing the medical-insurance portion slightly; final recorded vote was 17 yes, 4 no.