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Commissioners debate funding for fire investigator vs. emergency management functions
Summary
Officials debated repurposing a proposed $25,000 fire-investigator allocation and whether emergency-management responsibilities should remain under the county judge or be staffed separately. The judge stressed statutory distinctions between a fire investigator and a fire marshal.
The court examined a proposed $25,000 allocation intended to support a fire-investigator role and considered transferring those responsibilities to the compliance officer instead. One commissioner suggested that given statutory duties the county judge carries in disaster response, resources might better support grant administration and compliance functions rather than creating a new, costly position immediately.
The County Judge clarified the legal differences, saying, "It's not a fire marshal. It's a fire investigator," and noted fire-marshal certification carries additional statutory requirements. Commissioners agreed to continue discussion and to revisit the item when staff can present clearer cost, training and timeline estimates.
