Commissioners Hear Plan to Add Fire, EMS Staff and Discuss Recruit Retention

County Administrator John Gorton told the Meriwether County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 10 that Fire and EMS staffing remain the largest personnel requests in the draft budget.

“For the Fire Department to be fully staffed, a total of 40 employees would be needed,” Gorton said, describing the county’s current budgeted staff as 13 full-time, four salaried and 13 part-time employees (the part-time positions equate to approximately 6.5 full-time equivalents). He summarized Chief Stephens’ analysis that the department would need the equivalent of about 37 full-time employees and three part-time employees to operate effectively. Gorton said EMS currently has about 28 full-time equivalents and would need roughly two additional part-time employees to reach its target of 30.

The board discussed recent recruit retention. Gorton said a recent recruit class started with 10 candidates, dropped to seven and now has approximately three remaining after several left for higher-paying positions. Commissioner Adam Worsley and Vice Chairman Jennifer Snelson pressed for a combination of competitive entry-level pay and nonwage retention steps. Gorton noted the county is reviewing salary increases and a training-repayment agreement drafted by legal that would require employees who leave within two years of County-funded schooling to reimburse part of the cost.

Gorton said moving positions from part-time to full-time could reduce overtime costs and improve continuity. He also said some positions would be funded through the Fire District tax source rather than the county general fund. The budget process will evaluate how many of the requested full-time positions can be accommodated when the board meets in the coming weeks.