Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hears Harpeth Ridge volunteer station proposal to close rural coverage gap
Summary
County leaders discussed accepting roughly 1.5 acres from Harpeth Ridge Fire Department to build a 40-by-50-foot station (estimated cost ~$195,000), lease it back for $1 per year for 50 years to secure five-mile response coverage for about 1,100 homes; commissioners voted to move the proposal to the Dec. 15 regular meeting for further action.
The Dickson County Commission on (work session) heard a proposal to accept a donation of about 1.5 acres owned by Harpeth Ridge Fire Department on Highway 49 (White Oak Flat) and construct a 40-by-50-foot metal fire station to close a large rural coverage gap.
The chair described the plan: Harpeth Ridge would convey the property to the county; the county would build the station and then lease it back to Harpeth Ridge for $1 per year for 50 years. "What we're proposing to do with them is for them to give us that property, and we build a fire station there much like the one we have at our airport. And then in turn, lease it back to them for a dollar a year for 50 years," the chair said.
A Harpeth Ridge representative told commissioners the chosen site would place roughly 1,100 homes within a five-mile driving radius of a station, improving ISO coverage and likely reducing insurance costs for that area. The proposed building plan described a metal structure large enough to house two—and possibly three—fire apparatus, with a preliminary construction estimate near $195,000.
Commissioners discussed whether the station should include full-time staffing or remain volunteer-run; one commissioner expressed a preference to shift manpower to rural areas and leave city staffing to the cities. County staff said current projections indicate the project could be funded from excess/reserve funds and debt service already set aside and would not require a tax increase.
After discussion, the commission moved and seconded placing the Harpeth Ridge item on the county's regular meeting agenda for Dec. 15 for formal consideration.
