Van Zandt County fire marshal seeks new vehicles, inspector staff and funds for enforcement postage

The county Fire Marshal presented a departmental budget request to the commissioners that would add an environmental services supervisor and two part-time deputy fire marshals, fund a vehicle replacement and increase operational lines for postage, fuel and equipment.

The marshal said the part-time deputy fire marshal positions would work up to 30 hours per week and would not be eligible for the county's full benefit package; their duties would include fire and life-safety inspections, cause determinations for fire investigations and public education. "If we get the people that I'm requesting, then we can ... send certified letters," the marshal said, describing a regional enforcement plan that begins with a certified notice and escalates to door visits if owners do not respond.

On equipment, the marshal asked for a configured Tahoe (estimated roughly $55,000 base plus lights and shelving — about $80,000 fully equipped) and a broader equipment purchase budget (the packet listed about $110,000 for equipment overall). He said two part-time deputies would be a more cost-effective alternative to hiring a single full-time deputy and that the environmental supervisor would enable the office to handle illegal dumping and abatement reports more efficiently.

Commissioners and the marshal also discussed fuel-management options: bulk fuel tanks at the sheriff's facility could save money if usage is large and stable, but concerns about up-front tank costs and security were raised; the marshal said the office currently prefers credit-card fueling for accounting control but is open to analysis.

No formal action was taken; the court asked for more precise line-item numbers and for any estimates on recurring costs before making budget decisions.