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County debates fee increases and contract fate for local fire departments; revote set for July 31
Summary
Commissioners heard funding requests from Cullasaja Gorge Fire & Rescue and Burningtown-Iotla Fire & Rescue. The board requested multiple ordinance options for a service-fee increase and scheduled a July 31 revote on the BIFD contract after an immediate-termination motion failed in a split roll call.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners spent substantial time reviewing funding and contract decisions for two volunteer fire departments, asking county staff to prepare multiple budget ordinances and scheduling another vote on the Burningtown-Iotla Fire & Rescue (BIFD) contract for July 31.
Cullasaja Gorge Fire & Rescue Board Chair Jack Baird asked for a one-cent service-fee increase to finance the purchase of two replacement trucks, citing aging vehicles and limited parts. Commissioners debated buying used equipment and the community's tolerance for a fee increase. The transcript records a vote on a motion to approve a one-cent increase; the minutes describe the vote as "4 to 1" and enumerate Commissioners Antoine, Breeden, Shearl, and Young as opposed with Commissioner Shields in favor. After further discussion, County Manager Warren Cabe and Finance Director Lori Carpenter were asked to prepare three budget ordinances (no increase, a half-cent increase, and a one-cent increase) for a final decision at the June 10 regular meeting.
Representatives of Burningtown-Iotla Fire & Rescue, including Vice Chair Bill Duffie and Vice Chief Kenneth McCaskill, outlined recruitment and training steps, social-media outreach, and a plan to submit delinquent reports within a week and a progress report to the board. County Manager Cabe proposed extending BIFD's probationary status until July 31 to allow time for consolidation talks and operational planning. Commissioner Breeden moved to terminate the BIFD contract effective immediately; the transcript records that vote as 2 to 3 with Commissioners Breeden and Shearl voting in favor and Commissioners Antoine, Shields, and Young opposed. Chairman Young then moved to call for another vote on July 31, and the board voted unanimously to do so.
County staff told the board that splitting service-fee revenue between departments would be administratively complicated without an internal agreement between the volunteer departments. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized community safety and the need to ensure properly trained responders.
