City leaders may say yes to funding third paid firefighter but no to new fire truck

May 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Which is the greater immediate need for the Smithville Fire Department, the addition of a third paid firefighter to the staff or replacement of a 21-year-old fire truck with a brand-new rescue/pumper?

Fire Chief Charlie Parker came before the mayor and aldermen on April 21 asking for both as part of his budget requests for the 2022-23 fiscal year, but it doesn’t appear now that the Mayor and Aldermen are willing to fund both this year.

During a budget workshop with the aldermen on May 2, Mayor Josh Miller said at this time the need for another firefighter outweighs the need for a new fire truck, the cost of which could be up to as much as one million dollars. In addition to the 2001 fire truck, the Smithville Fire Department has in its fleet a 2018 rescue pumper and a 2012 ladder truck.

“I love our fire department. (Chief) Charlie (Parker) does a great job and I don’t blame him for asking. When we got that COVID money a couple of years ago we gave them (fire department) quite a bit of money for equipment and I am all for that but if you put needs on the table, fire truck versus staff, I think its staff over the fire truck any day of the week. If we were operating with junk, I would say let’s look at this,” Mayor Miller said.

According to Mayor Miller, McMinnville and Sparta are operating mostly with much older fire trucks than what Smithville has in its fleet.

“I called the McMinnville Mayor, and their population is over 13,000. This is what they operate with, a 1989 Mac, a 1993 Spartan, a 2003 ladder truck, and their newest truck is a 2015 Pierce. Sparta is more comparable to us, and they have a 2001 pumper, a 2002 pumper, a 2013 pumper, and a 1990 ladder truck. I know he (Chief Parker) talks about ISO (Insurance Services Office) ratings, but I don’t think there is anything that says you have to take a truck out after so many years. It’s just a recommendation,” Mayor Miller continued.

“I am asking for the replacement of engine 2 which has reached its 21-year mark. When they (fire trucks) hit 20 years of service we can count them as a reserve unit until they are 25 years old,” said Chief Parker during the April 21 budget workshop.

A new truck would be similar but smaller than the department’s 2018 rescue pumper, according to Chief Parker but it would be more expensive with a price tag of possibly up to $975,000. Since it would take up to two years for delivery if ordered this year, Chief Parker suggested that the city consider trying to lock in a price on a new truck if possible and make financial arrangements to pay for it. When the 2001 fire truck is replaced, Chief Parker said the city could sell it.

“I think we all agree that the staffing need is greater than the truck need and I would like to see the employee added and not the truck at this point,” said Alderman Brandon Cox during the budget workshop on May 2.

The first paid firefighter position was created by the city in 2012 and is held by Chief Parker. The second paid firefighter was added in 2020. Dalton Roberts has that job.

Chief Parker said April 21 that his long range goal is for the city to one day have at least two paid firefighters on duty in shifts around the clock but for now he is asking for just one additional position. In addition to the two current paid positions, the city has 25 volunteers on the roster but Chief Parker said the volunteers are not always available when needed because of other jobs and commitments.

“We have a shortage of personnel during daytime hours and if there is a fire call we can’t use him (Roberts) at his full potential if I am out of town. He has to wait for somebody else (volunteer) to get here because we don’t allow him to go on a fire call by himself for safety reasons. If I am in town I can go with him on a call. We have 25 people (volunteers) but during the daytime weekdays we are extremely short and sometimes during the weekends too,” said Chief Parker.

At the April 21 workshop, Mayor Miller said he is supportive of adding a third paid firefighter position because the city’s population is growing which will increase the probability of more fires.

“Since July 31, 2021 to March 1, 2022, there has been 65 new home permits pulled in the city. I think if everything goes through that I hear people are talking about building plus those already approved there may be as many as 200 homes possibly built, maybe not all of them next year, but its going to happen if the economy stays the way its going. Just to see all these new homes and people coming in, I really think this is not a bad idea (adding third paid firefighter) and we really need to take a look at it,” said Mayor Miller.

Chief Parker is also asking that the 25 volunteer firefighters, who are given $25 per fire call, be budgeted a $10 increase to $35 per call starting with the new fiscal year. Parker has further included increases for training, travel, and uniform allowance expense in his budget request.

No action has yet been taken by the mayor and aldermen.

May 7, 2022
By:

The DeKalb Middle School golf team competed in the M3 Eastern District tournament at Pine Creek Golf Course in Gladeville on Monday. Eleven teams from a five county area were eligible to participate.

The DeKalb girls team consisting of Chloe Boyd and Emily Anderson finished second overall to move on to the Regional tournament at Two Rivers Golf Club in Nashville on May 12/13.

The boys team, which included Jamison Troncoso, Carson Tramel, Bradley Hale, Abram Koegler and Cooper Goodwin finished fifth. The achievement by the two young ladies was especially noteworthy when considering that most of the other teams had a three girl team with the best two scores counting.

Chloe and Emily both posted their personal best competitive score when the chips were down. Also, Chloe was third low medalist from 24 girls. Emily, who also recorded an eagle on a par five, finished fifth.

May 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Another increase in rates may be coming for Smithville water and sewer customers with passage of the 2022-23 budget this summer.

During last Monday night’s budget committee workshop, Mayor Josh Miller and the aldermen discussed the possibility of raising rates by 2% or more. A rate study will be conducted to determine by how much. Water and sewer rates were increased 2% this past year to help offset costs.

City water customers currently pay $7.40 per thousand gallons. Rates for customers outside the city limits are $11.10 per thousand. City sewer customers pay $6.89 per thousand.

City officials believe its wiser to implement smaller rate increases now rather than larger hikes later to keep incoming revenues ahead of expenses and that is also the recommendation of the state comptroller.

“Last year the comptroller recommended that we go up 2% on water and sewer rates every year,” said Mayor Miller. Now chemicals are costing more, pipes are costing more, and we are looking at giving (11% cost of living) raises to employees. Of course, with those raises, some of it will be (paid for) in the general fund and some of it in the water and sewer department and that is going to be more costs. We were thinking to let Buddy Qualls, the one who did a water study for us before look at this to give a recommendation on if we need to go up more than 2% this year. I think we need to do this (study) but I am not going to be in favor of a major water hike either,” said Mayor Miller.

“I believe we can keep it below 5% but we may need more than 2%,” said City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson

“I just know chemical costs were higher than what we budgeted for the year when I was looking at it last month and I am afraid other costs are going to be a lot more than we planned for this past year and as inflation has continued. I don’t think 2% will be adequate but I would rather have the professional analyzing it give us some guidance,” said Janice Plemmons-Jackson, the city’s financial consultant.

Under state law, if a utility continues to operate at a loss for more than two years and doesn’t address it, the state has the authority to force rate increases to make it solvent.

The city is also considering increasing its contribution to the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad each year from $1,000 to $2,000.

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