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Emergency management seeks deputy, vehicle and training funds; commission asks for revised budget details
Summary
Fayette County emergency management director presented a budget request that includes a deputy emergency manager/planner position (budgeted under $40,000), vehicle replacement and training funds; commissioners asked for a revised, more granular submission before formal approval.
Fayette County emergency management director Jack delivered his first budget presentation of the year and outlined requests that included advertising a deputy emergency manager/planner position (proposed salary under $40,000 with full benefits), the purchase of a new vehicle (a Jeep was identified as the preferred option), and a training-and-education line of roughly $4,500.
Jack said the deputy post would restore a position previously held in the department and that both the director and deputy positions are partially reimbursable through the Emergency Management Performance Grant. He described current fleet condition (a 2013 Tahoe, a 2015 Explorer, a 2017 Silverado 2500 and a 2,500 diesel truck used for hauling generators) and said two vehicles exceed 100,000 miles; the department needs one replacement vehicle to improve operational flexibility and to better transport generators and smaller equipment during responses.
Commissioners pressed for more detail on training needs and annual certification requirements. Jack said many required trainings have been provided at no charge but that the deputy would need Incident Command System (ICS) courses (100, 200, 300, 400 and related classes) and emergency operations center management training. He said $4,500 in the draft would cover a compressed year of recommended training for a deputy.
Commissioners asked Jack to revise the budget narrative with clearer line-item detail (particularly for vehicles and the deputy’s duties) and submit the revision before the commission makes final allocations. No formal vote was recorded at this item; commissioners asked staff to return a more granular budget and advised that employee needs be prioritized courthouse-wide before extras are funded.
Jack said the department uses a 2,500 diesel truck that, properly maintained, could last another decade and that the vehicle choice (Jeep vs. pickup) considered maneuverability and cost. He noted that current vehicle needs are partially reimbursable through the federal grant program and described other capital and equipment issues (an out-of-service Sorento at the park, vehicles titled to various funds that require reconciliation before use).
