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Commissioner objects to 'Director of Fire Services' title; subsection naming Director passes 6‑1
Summary
Commissioner Ben Thielen said retaining the administrative title 'Director of Fire Services' contributed to tensions between career and volunteer firefighters; the Commission approved Section 7.03(B) identifying the paid Fire Chief as the Director of Fire Services with a 6‑1 vote.
Commissioner Ben Thielen pressed the Commission to remove the "Director of Fire Services" title from the Charter, saying the dual title "had contributed to tension between the career and volunteer departments" and that the Fire Chief should remain the Fire Chief while any Director title be a separate, independent position.
County Attorney Mike Enrooth advised that Montana law grants the Fire Chief authority over municipal fire operations and cautioned that creating separate individuals serving as Fire Chief and Director of Fire Services could create conflicts by assigning overlapping operational authority. The Commission voted on Section 7.03(B) — identifying the paid Fire Chief as the Director of Fire Services — with Cindi Shaw moving and Chad Silk seconding. The motion carried, with Ben Thielen recorded as the lone 'no' vote.
