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Chief outlines volunteer incentive and insurance costs; commission tasks committee to review
Summary
Chief Smith presented a breakdown of volunteer-related spending — roughly $20,000 for supplemental volunteer insurance, about $28,000 for transport insurance, and 177 volunteers receiving a $160 incentive — and commissioners moved to have the volunteer and rescue commissions and chiefs examine whether those costs should remain in the incentive line item or move to the general fund.
Chief Smith provided a detailed accounting of how the commission's volunteer incentive funds were spent and identified insurance costs that will recur during the March renewal window.
Smith said supplemental insurance covering volunteers is "just a little over $20,000 annually," and that transport insurance for the current year would be "$28,000 and some change." He said 177 volunteers received the incentive this year at $160 per person and that about $48,000 remained in the incentive account after recent payments. Smith also explained workers' compensation implications: the county must pay workers' comp on incentive checks, and some paid-staff costs are covered from the general fund.
Several commissioners questioned why transport insurance was paid from the incentive line and requested to see the insurance policy and the roster breakdown. One commissioner suggested the supplemental insurance might be more appropriate in the general fund so incentive payments remain fully available to volunteers.
The commission agreed to place the matter in the committee's hands and to coordinate quickly with the rescue commission and fire chiefs because renewals are due next week. Chief Smith said he would provide supporting documents and a roster to get a precise head count for budgeting.
No formal appropriation or reallocation was enacted at the meeting. Further committee review and a chiefs' meeting were scheduled as follow-up.
