Fiscal Court hears public safety complex proposal, appropriates pay raise for Clark County Fire Department
Published 12:30 pm Monday, July 17, 2023
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As is typical, both positive and negative emotions could be felt during Wednesday morning’s Clark County Fiscal Court meeting.
Among other points, The Greater Clark Foundation (GCF) presented the idea of a public safety complex while the Clark County Fire Department received a raise in pay.
The Greater Clark Foundation President and CEO Jen Algire spoke, as did Chairman Darren Henry.
However, a document addressed to county and city leaders also explained proposed actions.
It states the Fiscal Court is evaluating the feasibility of replacing Clark County Fire Department Fire Station #2, including potential land acquisition and site planning.
Simultaneously, the city of Winchester is considering a property that could be acquired for a new fire station.
With both thoughts in mind, an opportunity arose.
“We believe these concurrent searches present a unique opportunity to seriously consider the feasibility and benefits of unifying the County and City Fire and EMS services to provide the highest level of emergency services to ALL residents of Clark County,” notes the official document.
GCF stated that a countywide and unified Fire/EMS service could reap long-term benefits for the community and expressed a willingness to provide financial support.
“We believe this could save roughly $2 million in acquisition costs that could be redeployed as part of a unification process,” the document reads. “First and foremost, the goal would be to provide a consistent, high level of service across the entire geography of Clark County. Done well, a unified Fire/ EMS would benefit from greater efficiency, better staffing, better rescue capabilities, streamlined communications, and – with strategically placed stations and appropriate staffing – improve the ISO rating for the entire County.”
An ISO rating is a score provided to fire departments by the Insurance Services Office reflecting how important a community and area is for fires.
Magistrate Robert Blanton acknowledged that collaboration could occur with the city and county Fire/EMS and city and county government.
“This might be an opportunity for the City Commission and the Fiscal Court to have a joint meeting so we can all sit together and have a discussion,” Blanton said. “We haven’t had one since before COVID.”
It was suggested that, if such an event occurs, fire chiefs from both the Winchester Fire Department and Clark County Fire Department be present.
While cost concerns came up, Blanton reiterated that a joint meeting might effectively address such issues.
The Fiscal Court took no action on the issue though the presentation by GCF was complimented.
In other news, a three% raise to the Clark County Fire Department retroactive to July 2 was approved.
Magistrate Mark Miller put forth the motion.
“It is in the budget. It’s not going to cost us anything. It’s just that it was never appropriated last year,” said Miller. “They went all year last year without having that raise…I’d like to see and propose that we would give them a way to allow them to have that 3% raise that they never got last year when all the other departments did. I’ve talked to the other departments, and they understand.”
On procedural grounds, Magistrate Blanton initially opposed the motion.
“I thought we decided we weren’t [going to] do this sort of stuff [during] magistrate comments. It was [going to] be agenda items,” Blanton said. “So, I’m [going to] vote no.”
Magistrate Ernest Pasley, commenting that the item had not been put on the agenda despite requests, responded in approval of the proposed increase.
“These people protect our lives and our homes,” Pasley said.
The Fiscal Court passed the motion to approve the pay raise without discernment.