Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee passes permissive bill allowing counties to fund countywide fire departments at parity with sheriff budgets
Summary
A permissive bill would let a county legislative body establish a countywide fire department and require funding at least equivalent to the sheriff's department if the county chooses to do so. Sponsor emphasized recognition of volunteer and EMS services as essential; members questioned budgetary implications for rural counties.
Senator Gardener said the bill creates a permissive pathway for counties to establish a countywide fire department and — if the local legislative body elects to do so — requires funding at least equivalent to what the county appropriates for the sheriff's department. He said the measure is intended to recognize fire and EMS services as essential and give local governing bodies discretion to decide whether they can afford the change.
Several members asked whether the requirement could force counties to cut sheriff budgets or impose uniform staffing expectations; the sponsor stressed the decision is local and permissive: counties are not required to create a countywide department but, if they do, must fund it at parity with the sheriff's budget. The committee approved SB1651 (5 ayes, 3 noes) and the bill moves to Finance.
