Marion County commissioners agreed to adopt a statewide mutual aid agreement template after a lengthy discussion about authority and liability protections. An unidentified official who introduced the item said recent state changes require the governing body to sign mutual aid agreements and MOUs rather than leaving that authority solely to agency directors. "They the first thing they did is they made it to where the governing body has to sign mutual aid agreements, MOUs, things of that nature," the speaker said.

The presenter told commissioners the statewide agreement applies the same emergency-management functions to emergency and non-emergency events and would allow liability protections and temporary suspension of some procurement rules for preplanned events. "The statewide mutual aid agreement allows us to do that for preplanned events," the speaker said, adding the template comes from the state EMA and has been approved by regional mutual-aid organizations.

Commissioners asked which counties participate and whether requiring a governing-body signature would slow emergency response. The presenter said the agreement has expanded geographically and that adopting it would eliminate the need to convene the full commission in some situations. He encouraged the county to "adopt then sign that agreement that's in front of you" and said a companion resolution authorizing the EMA director to execute additional MOUs would be presented later.

After discussion and a reference to a past tornado response that illustrated the need for timely help, a motion to approve the mutual aid agreement was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

• Approve minutes (Nov. 17, 2025): Motion made by Tim; seconded by Larry; chair called for voice vote and recorded unanimous assent.
• Approve council payment recommendation: Motion made by Kenneth; seconded by Tim; approved by voice vote.
• Approve statewide mutual aid agreement: Motion made (Larry identified as mover in discussion); seconded by Kenneth; approved by voice vote.
• Post administrative office position (to fill departing employee): Motion made by Tim; seconded; approved by voice vote.
• Adjourn meeting: Motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote.

Other business and next steps included a report that the county received weather radios and plans to discuss distribution in February before severe weather season. The presenter recommended using the radios to prompt public preparedness rather than handing them out immediately after the holidays. A resolution formalizing the mutual aid adoption was expected to appear at a future meeting for final signatures and any authorizations for the EMA director to execute MOUs.

The meeting included routine announcements and recorded advertisements before the formal session and adjourned after the listed motions were approved.