Holmes County moves to study placing fire rescue under sheriff’s office; leadership, liability and grants in focus

County officials presented a plan to reorganize Holmes County Fire Rescue under the oversight of the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office and to seek grant funding for equipment and staffing.

The presenter (identified by the chair as John) said he would not ask the board for money this fiscal year but plans to pursue grant opportunities and take initial administrative steps. "There's hundreds of millions of dollars out there for us… it's opened today and so we're gonna try to dip into that pot," he said. He told commissioners he will attempt to secure grant funding and that any long‑term budgetary impacts would be part of next year’s budget process.

On operations and liability, the presenter said the county has discussed assuming liability for the fire service but intends to finalize arrangements in October: "...come October, I'll assume the liability and work or not work with Scott… I want my attorneys representing me and the fire department not having 2 separate attorneys representing the county and the fire department." He also said he has identified Jeff McVay, a retired wildfire/rescue chief, who "is gonna be the one heading up the fire department" if the board approves the concept and asked the board to tentatively set June 1 as the date to bring a written proposal back to the commission.

Commissioners expressed general support for further study and moved to have staff return with a formal proposal on June 1. Several commissioners noted concerns that the changes should not increase county liability without clear legal and budgetary steps.

What’s next: staff will return to the board with a written proposal on June 1 that includes grant strategy, liability insurance arrangements and proposed management structure for county fire services.