Commission forwards Weekley Lane 17‑acre campus plan — including EMS station and forensic center — to budget; convenience center fix sent to Public Works

The Rutherford County Commission voted to forward a proposal to begin site design and budgeting for a 17‑acre campus on Weekley Lane that would include a new EMS station, site preparation for a forensic center and expanded parking for the county clerk’s office, and to hold a pad for a future unidentified county facility.

Commissioner Johnson introduced the item and said the plan would “save anywhere between a half a million and a million dollars” by completing site work now and leaving a blue‑box pad ready for a future building. Director Adam Dodd and consultant Bart Klein explained the package covers grading, utilities, parking and a new EMS station. "This includes… the site work plus a new EMS station," Dodd said.

County finance staff told commissioners funds are available without borrowing. Michael Smith, referenced by staff, estimated that roughly $4.4 million could be reallocated from unused public safety building funds; staff said project capital costs are currently estimated at about $4.2 million.

Commissioners discussed whether the county’s Public Building Authority should administer construction. Adam Dodd described the PBA’s role as providing additional oversight: “They vet the GC’s work. They vet the architects work…and they vet all the pay apps,” he said. Speakers said the decision to hand a project to the PBA is for the commission to make; commissioners said it is common to give public safety projects to the PBA because it reduces mayoral office oversight burden.

Public safety officials described the EMS need behind the proposal. Brian Gaither, director of EMS, outlined response‑time concerns on the north end of the county and said the plan supports initial staffing and future expansion. Staff said an EMS station on the site would be roughly 2,700 square feet and designed to accommodate two ambulances in the future. Initial operational staffing was described as one crew staffed across four shifts—equivalent to eight personnel for payroll purposes—though speakers said deployment specifics would be set during the budget process.

Cost estimates for personnel were provided as planning figures: roughly $90,000 per year per paramedic and about $76,000 per year per EMT, including benefits, according to figures shared by Michael Smith during the meeting.

The commission voted to forward the Weekley Lane site‑design and financing proposal to budget with a positive recommendation so public safety, property management and budget staff can provide detailed operating and capital cost information for the full commission. The motion passed in roll call with commissioners voting in favor.

A related conversation about traffic queuing at the county’s G Street convenience center produced a separate action. Commissioner Johnson proposed widening the convenience center entrance to add a third lane; Bishop Wagner, director of solid waste, recommended a lower‑cost operational alternative—an interior control gate, additional signage and striping—paid from existing operating funds and implemented quickly. After debate, an amendment to add the lane was withdrawn and commissioners approved a separate motion to send the mayor’s office and Bishop Wagner’s visualization of a lower‑cost alternative to the Public Works committee for presentation the following week.

Staff told commissioners that final site design documents, bid packages and funding appropriation will be prepared for the budget process and that the PBA can be engaged at any point after funding is appropriated if the commission so directs.