Town Of Dandridge Votes To Continue Fire Coverage
The Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department will continue to service areas outside the city limits of Dandridge. Recently, the issue of fire service has become a hot topic in Jefferson County with the local municipalities of Dandridge and White Pine requesting additional funding to service the areas outside of their city limits and service to those County residents served by the city departments at risk. Last month, the Jefferson County Budget Committee offered a compromise in funding to Dandridge, White Pine and New Market, upping their funding to $85,000-$70,000 and $90,000 respectively. Though the amount was $15,000 short of the requested amount from Dandridge and $5,000 less for White Pine, Budget Committee members noted that it was a compromise amount and a starting point in finding a realistic funding formula to meet the needs of all fire departments in Jefferson County. Their recommendation will go to the full Commission for a final vote and the Town of Dandridge and White Pine for their consideration. Tuesday evening, June 6, 2017, the Dandridge Board of Mayor and Aldermen put the question of fire service and funding to bed for the fiscal year 2017/18.
Dandridge Aldermen Depew brought the original motion for a contract offer for fire service for Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department service areas outside the city limits in the amount of $100,000 with a five year contract that would see a 5% increase annually and it was that offer that was taken to the County Budget Committee. Tuesday he amended and superseded that motion, changing the funding amount to $85,000 and releasing the five year stipulation. Depew stated that he wanted the public to have some closure on the fire service issue and comfort in the assurance that their homes will continue to be covered, choosing to keep the amendment clear and to the point, rather than combining it with other caveats. He was 2nd by Alderman Chambers and the amendment was unanimously approved.
In a separate motion, Depew moved to enter into a contract( at the request of the Town’s insurance company) for fire service with the County and to enter into discussion regarding Dandridge Fire Department Funding for the fiscal year 2018/19 to begin by October 31, 2017 in order to be in time for a recommendation to the County Budget Committee before the next budget season. At Mayor Gantte’s request the motion also named the members of the negotiating committee to be the Mayor of Dandridge, Mayor of White Pine, Jefferson County Mayor, Jefferson County Commission representative and person at large. His motion was seconded by Alderman Nelson and was unanimously approved.
One citizen spoke in favor of a funding plan and additional support for all County emergency services. Mayor Gantte thanked him for his interest and willingness to speak out for the emergency services, noting that the process to secure additional funding spanned many years and multiple meetings with various County committees over the past several months. Mayor Gantte said that many of the Aldermen, as well as the Town Administration and the Fire Department, had attended meetings and lobbied on behalf of the residents of the Town. Alderman Depew added his appreciation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department and Chief Riley, Town Administrator Peagler and Alderwoman Reece ( Fire Department liaison),citizens and members of the Jefferson County Budget Committee/Commission for the willingness to work to a compromise that is in the interest of the residents of both the city and the county.
The funding recommendation will now pass to the full Jefferson County Commission for approval later this month as a part of the fiscal 2017/18 budget proposal.
