Chamber seeks staff and hotel-motel tax share; Fire and Rescue asks for increased operating support

Chamber of Commerce request and debate

The Stewart County Chamber of Commerce asked the commission for increased funding to hire a part-time/three-day-per-week staff person to run the chamber office, manage the Chamber Nation website and lead tourism and membership outreach. The chamber president (unnamed in the transcript) described a digital advertising campaign eligible for state reimbursement, a need to manage the visitor center and an ambition to grow hotel/motel revenue by marketing short-term rentals and local attractions.

Commissioners pressed the chamber on near-term results and accountability. One county official recommended approving a smaller immediate allocation and asking the chamber to return in six months with measurable results. The commission approved a $10,000 allocation for 2025–26 (voice vote), noting that the chamber had earlier sought a larger package (including $18,000 in a prior director allocation and additional hotel/motel tax shares). The chamber asked for half of the county hotel/motel tax revenue to fund a part-time position; commissioners agreed to a six-month check-in if county funds are provided.

Fire and Rescue request and discussion

Stewart County Fire and Rescue requested $125,000 for the 2025–26 fiscal year, an increase from a prior $100,000 allocation. A department representative (unnamed) said the increase would help offset inflation, fuel and insurance costs and ongoing operations. The department reported a $70,000 grant for a cascade system to fill SCBA air bottles (the grant funds had arrived and the system was ordered), and provided operational statistics: 430 calls in 2024 and roughly 110 calls so far in 2025 (as of the meeting). The department noted a current roster of 67 members but acknowledged gaps in daytime coverage and recruitment.

Commissioners expressed support for the $125,000 request as a modest, immediate step and asked the department to prepare a five-year capital and staffing plan that addresses vehicle and building repairs, SCBA/equipment replacement and options for daytime staffing or pay-per-call models. The commission approved the $125,000 by voice vote and instructed staff and the department to continue planning for capital needs and potential county-supported staffing models.

Nut Graf: The commission approved a limited immediate allocation to the chamber while seeking accountability and a six-month report; it also approved an increase for Fire and Rescue but asked the department to present a master plan for capital replacement and staffing so future funding decisions can be structured over multiple years.

Ending: The commission approved the chamber’s $10,000 allocation and Fire and Rescue’s $125,000 request by voice votes and directed follow-up reporting and planning from both organizations.