Commission rejects confirmation of interim EMS director after hours of debate; votes to advertise for full-time director

Overton County commissioners voted against confirming Chris Mason Gale as the county's EMS director following an extended public discussion and testimony from EMS employees and community members. After the roll call, the commission instead voted to advertise a vacancy for a full-time EMS director for 30 days in local papers statewide and proceed with an interview process.

The vote on confirmation was moved by Randall Boswell and seconded by Roger Carr. After public testimony and a prolonged discussion at the dais, the roll call on confirmation produced three yes votes — Brenda Boswell, Jesse Bowman and Patrick McCurdy — several pass/abstentions and a majority of no votes, so the motion failed. The chairman announced the outcome as “no” and said the county would return to the drawing board.

Why it mattered: Commissioners and members of the public framed the matter as a personnel, public-safety and budgeting question. Proponents said Gale, who has served as interim EMS director and also works for county 9-1-1, had improved morale and operations and had been recommended by multiple EMS peers. Opponents and several commissioners raised concerns about one person holding two critical positions (EMS director and 9-1-1 director), about unclear hours and savings calculations, and about statutory and procurement requirements for hiring and pay.

Key facts: The county mayor discussed Tennessee Code Annotated 5-6-106, which describes the mayor’s appointment power and the county commission’s confirmation role; county officials also referenced consultant guidance (CTAS) and said the statutory text advises the legislative body not to interview prospective appointees before the mayor appoints them. Gale told the commission he had offered to accept $50,000 for the EMS director role to save the county money versus a higher advertised salary and said he had been working many hours in both positions; Gale also said he would not hold the EMS position unless both the county commission and the 9-1-1 board agreed.

Public comment and written statements: Dozens of written statements and multiple in-person speakers supported Gale, including long letters from EMS peers describing operational improvements at county stations, better equipment maintenance, and improvements in morale since Gale became interim director. Speakers from the public and several commissioners pressed for clarity on hours, how any payroll savings would be applied, and whether state procurement or advertising rules applied to hiring a higher-salary position.

Follow-up actions and commission direction: After the failed confirmation vote a separate motion to advertise the EMS director position for 30 days in the Tennessean, Herald Citizen and other local/statewide outlets passed on roll call. Commissioners instructed staff to run a standard recruitment and interview process “as has been done in the past.” The motion was seconded and received a majority roll-call approval (commissioners recorded a majority yes; the clerk’s roll-call sequence is in the meeting minutes).

Process questions raised: Multiple commissioners asked for written answers on (1) whether a combined EMS/9-1-1 director role is permitted for Overton County given local agreements with adjacent counties, (2) the expected hours and whether benefits thresholds (30–32 hours) apply, (3) whether advertised pay and any savings would flow back to EMS or the general fund, and (4) whether state procurement or advertising thresholds apply for positions that would pay approximately $98,000 if filled as a single combined salary. Several commissioners asked to return the matter to committee if those questions could not be answered before a final vote.

What’s next: The commission directed staff to post a 30-day advertisement for a full-time EMS director and to follow the county’s normal hiring/interview procedures. The county will report back in a future meeting with any committee recommendations or clarifying information requested by commissioners.