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County declines to commit to paying post-grant Williamston Fire/EMS salary
Summary
Town of Williamston requested Martin County pay one firefighter salary after a 3-year grant ends; the Board expressed concerns about equity for other departments and declined to commit to the post-grant salary obligation.
Town officials asked Martin County to agree to pay one of two additional Fire/EMS positions after a three-year grant period. The grant would cover both positions for three years; starting in year four the Town of Williamston sought county support for one salary while the town would cover the other.
County Manager James Bennett and multiple commissioners said they opposed the request. Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond said the county should not single out Williamston if other departments did not receive the same offer; Commissioner Joe Ayers and Chairman Ronnie Smith raised concerns about long-term county budget commitments and fairness to other volunteer or municipal departments covering county territory.
Fire Chief Michael Peaks (via WebEx) said Williamston Fire/EMS covers the town, Bear Grass and Griffin Township and estimated the county's cost for one position in year four would be roughly $53,530 including salary and benefits. The county did not commit to funding after discussion; Chairman Smith said the county would continue to collaborate but would not adopt the requested financial pledge at this meeting.
The Board recorded no formal motion to approve funding; instead the record shows discussion and an expressed reluctance to commit county dollars for an ongoing personnel obligation that would benefit one municipality.
