Budget Committee debates possible funding of Elizabethton Fire Department

Members of Carter County’s Budget Committee voted to approve every section of the upcoming 2019/2020 County Budget Thursday evening, but conversation sparked over the one line item in the general fund’s “Contributions to Outside Agencies” section marked with all zeros: the Elizabethton Fire Department.

The board reached this section of the budget packet after spending roughly 10 minutes talking about funding volunteer fire departments not in Carter County, such as Butler.

Some board members expressed concern at not sending funding to a fire department that does serve Carter County citizens.

“That is tough,” Commissioner Ross Garland said. “On the flip side of that coin, do they fund our volunteer fire departments?”

After an initial conversation, the board voted 4-4 to approve the zero-dollar funding, leaving the decision in a tie.

“Well, it looks like we would like to give a little bit of money,” Garland said in response.

Other commissioners expressed concern sending money to this city organization might convince other city agencies to ask for similar funding.

“When we were at the Blue Hole, I had a discussion with Mike Simerly about getting members of the commission and council together to discuss issues such as these,” Commissioner Robert Acuff said.

He said conversations like these, with city and county mayors both present, could help alleviate these kinds of concerns in the future.

A motion arrived on the table after that to give the EFD $10,000, which failed 3-5.

“I think, we leave it at zero now, we get together and put our heads together with the city and county folks, talk about it and see what comes from that,” Garland said.

This third motion passed 7-1, meaning current Carter County funding of the Elizabethton Fire Department will remain at zero pending a joint meeting between the city and county governments.

In other conversations, the budget committee voted to give Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership its budgeted $20,000, half of what they received last year, and earmark $20,000 to set aside for possible funding of the Joint Economic and Community Development Board.

The board said it was unable to fund the board directly at this time because the board does not yet have the ability to accept funding.

SportsPlus

Local news

CCSO warns of scam calls impersonating officers, demanding money

Local news

County Mayor’s Office provides update on Broad Street Bridge

Local news

Krispy Kreme doughnuts comes to McDonald’s

Local news

State’s community and technical schools honor veterans

Local news

ETSU launches training to help military-affiliated students

Local news

Annual Veterans Day Ceremony held at War Memorial Veterans Walk of Honor

Local news

Alliance sounds alarm on new uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge

Local news

Mountain Ways extends application deadline in TN and WNC to Nov. 18

Local news

State’s community and technical schools honor veterans

Local news

Elizabethton High celebrates Homecoming ’24

Local news

Johnson City police accused of altering, concealing evidence in new allegations

Local news

Tennessee gas prices rise slightly, state average at $2.75 per gallon

Local news

Five mentors still needed to support Carter County students before Nov. 15 deadline

Local news

Tennessee announces the Governor’s Veteran Fellowship Program Class of 2025  

Local news

ETSU celebrates our veterans

Local news

Keep Carter County Beautiful to host ‘No Trash November’ cleanup on Tweetsie Trail

Local news

Dollar General adds fresh produce to Hampton location

Local news

FEMA offers vehicle assistance to Tennesseans impacted by Tropical Storm Helene

Local news

RipTide Car Wash gets final site OK; city may review zoning code

Community

Senior Center Schedule

Local news

Carter County Legends Lunch: A tradition of fellowship and memories

Local news

Seeger Chapel improvements improve spiritual development, cultural experiences at Milligan

Local news

Betsy Band does it again

Local news

Celebrate the season with ‘Mickey’s Christmas Carol’