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Mills County commissioners table 10-year interlocal with Goway VFD over open-ended funding language
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a proposed 10-year interlocal with the Goway Volunteer Fire Department that would have the county provide fuel, insurance and unspecified "other expenses." Citing liability and a desire for budget caps and chief-level input, the court voted to table the agreement pending revisions and a budget workshop.
Mills County commissioners on May 11 reviewed and then tabled a draft 10-year interlocal agreement with the Goway Volunteer Fire Department after members raised concerns about broad county obligations for fuel, insurance and unspecified "other expenses."
The agreement, as drafted, would run for 10 years and directs the county to provide funding for fuel, insurance and "other expenses" as budgeted. County Attorney Bill Malone told the court that the clause existed in earlier agreements but suggested the commission could add limiting language such as "up to the amount budgeted for the year." Several commissioners said they were uncomfortable with a long-term contract that commits unspecified funds outside the normal budget process.
"It says the county will provide funding for fuel, insurance, other expenses and support these activities as budgeted and approved," one commissioner said, questioning whether "will" created an open-ended obligation. Commissioners discussed changing the wording to "may" or adding a ceiling tied to the annual budget. Commissioners also noted that Goway VFD provides vehicle extrication and crash response—services that may impose greater expense than other volunteer departments.
Commissioners said they want the GVFD chief to appear at a budget workshop with detailed line-item needs so the court can consider a defined annual allocation instead of an open-ended long-term guarantee. County Attorney Malone cautioned that changing "will" to "may" could prompt objections from the fire department but offered language that would limit county obligations to budgeted amounts.
After discussion the court voted to table the interlocal agreement and asked staff to work with GVFD leadership and return with clarified language and budget figures at a future meeting.
The item was tabled without a formal appropriation; commissioners said they will review proposed funding during upcoming budget workshops. The court plans to have GVFD leaders present figures for fuel, insurance, training and equipment to inform any final agreement.
