Court grants overtime exemption for fire chief for TIFMAS deployments after extended debate

Potter County commissioners voted to create a policy exemption allowing the fire chief (an exempt employee) to receive overtime pay while on TIFMAS assignments so payroll can be processed and the county can receive reimbursement. The item generated the meeting’s most extended debate over training benefits, staffing impacts, deployment frequency and whether limits or notification procedures should be required.

Brandon framed the payroll problem that prompted the request and said the amendment was to allow processing of overtime when deployments occur. The fire chief’s representative described scenarios in which deployment reimbursement—"we get reimbursed...the county gets reimbursed a 100% for the salary"—offsets the overtime cost and argued that deployments are valuable training opportunities for line staff. Commissioners voiced differing views: some urged a limit or formal notification (suggested one to two deployments per year with court notification), while others favored flexibility so the department can accept short‑notice assignments that benefit the county and improve staff qualifications.

One commissioner moved to create the exemption and asked that a formal policy be returned to the court for limits or procedures; another commissioner seconded the motion. The court approved the exemption by voice vote. Commissioners directed that a written policy be prepared to address frequency, notification and reimbursement processing so payroll and departmental readiness are reconciled going forward.