Heated debate in Sumner County over proposed fire coordinator as volunteer chiefs plead for restored funding

Volunteer fire chiefs and department leaders told the Sumner County Commission that last year’s county support produced concrete equipment and staffing gains and that cuts this year would hinder public safety. Several chiefs urged the commission to restore funding to the $100,000-per-station baseline they had received previously.

At the public-comment table, Chris Shoemaker asked the commission to add a fire coordinator position to the budget and proposed using TVA pilot funds — which he said had provided roughly $2.3 million to the county in 2025–26 — to pay for the role. "This position will strengthen the relationship between the volunteer departments and all the career departments," Shoemaker said. Fire chiefs who spoke later — including Tad Matthews and Oak Grove chief Brad Bridal — described equipment purchases and debt payoffs made possible by last year’s funding and said grants and donations can’t reliably sustain station needs.

Commissioners exchanged a series of floor amendments about whether to set $100,000 aside for a one-year contracted coordinator, whether that money should come from commissioner-line reductions or capital projects, and whether the coordinator should be a county-managed position or a contract that reports to an ad hoc committee. Some commissioners argued a short-term contract would allow rapid progress on grant-writing, combined purchasing and mutual-aid coordination; others warned it could be the start of long-term government expansion.

Several compromise amendments were proposed: one would have created a separate $100,000 line for a contracted coordinator (not an FTE) with logistical details to be developed by the budget committee; another proposed allocating $60,000 for a contract role while leaving the volunteer departments whole. The amendment to move $100,000 into a coordinator line ultimately failed to get the 13 votes required on the floor. Commissioners instead approved an allocation that restored much of the volunteer funds and tasked the budget committee to continue vetting the coordinator concept and possible funding sources.

What commissioners said: Commissioner Shoaf, the budget chair, acknowledged concerns that a coordinator alone would not solve long-term funding challenges but said a short-term contractor could focus on fundraising and creating a sustainable plan. Several commissioners urged further study in the budget committee before any permanent commitment.

What’s next: The budget committee was asked to study a detailed scope of work, reporting chains and cost estimates for a contracted coordinator; commissioners left open the option of funding a coordinator in the future if a sustainable, one-year plan is produced.