Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Protection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council opens public process for fire territory merger to address staffing gaps and service coverage
Summary
The council voted to proceed with discussions and public hearings on a proposed fire territory merger with Brown Township to address staffing shortages and service gaps, acknowledging it would raise taxes but improve emergency coverage.
Mooresville Town Council on Jan. 7 voted to move forward with public hearings on a proposed fire territory merger with Brown Township after trustees and staff described persistent gaps in local fire and EMS coverage. Mark Harris, Brown Township trustee, said his board had already approved opening discussions and that the intent is to shore up staffing and service levels even though the change will raise taxes.
Harris said the town and township are experiencing short staffing that requires relying more on neighboring ambulance services. “We are just trying to figure out a way to stay ahead of this game so that there's not gonna be any more gaps in service,” Harris said. He told the council the initial step is to open the topic to public comment and set hearing dates and that Baker Tilly (town consultant) would publish the required notice to taxpayers.
Council members asked that timelines and hearing dates be posted to the town website and discussed venue options for potentially larger, televised hearings. The council made a motion to move forward with the fire territory merger discussion, the motion was seconded, and the council voted in favor, agreeing to advertise the hearings and begin the formal public process.
