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Commissioner objects to keeping 'Director of Fire Services' title; section approved
Summary
Commissioner Ben Thielen voted no on Section 7.03(B), arguing the 'Director of Fire Services' title confuses career and volunteer roles; the Commission approved the subsection 6–1 and retained the title after legal clarification from County Attorney Mike Enrooth.
The Commission voted to approve Section 7.03(B), which identifies the paid Fire Chief as the Director of Fire Services, but Commissioner Ben Thielen cast the lone no vote, saying the dual title has "contributed to tension between the career and volunteer departments."
County Attorney Mike Enrooth told the Commission that Montana law grants the Fire Chief authority over municipal fire operations and that the "Director of Fire Services" label is an administrative title consistent with county department naming rather than a new, separate position. Despite Thielen's objection, commissioners approved the subsection by a 6–1 vote (Thielen opposed).
