CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The city’s mayor told Bradley County commissioners Wednesday that they need to make a decision “as soon as possible” on how they plan to handle fire protection in 2013.
Currently, the county pays the city for fire service in its urban areas near the city limits and, though the contract does not expire until June 30, 2013, the debate over what to do next has begun.
Cleveland revenue paid by Bradley County2011: $1,822,2002012: $1,822,2002013: $911,000**Through June 30Source: Cleveland/Bradley County fire contract
The future of local fire service dominated a joint luncheon Wednesday of Cleveland and Bradley County officials.
“We do need to know as soon as possible what you intend to do,” Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland told county commissioners during the meeting.
“It’s the elephant in the room,” said County Commissioner Jeff Yarber.
He repeated his stand that consolidation of the city and county fire departments is probably best for citizens. But he said the county should continue to look at a completely separate full-time department or writing another contract when the current one expires.
“In my opinion, I think a decision has been made,” Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis said. “The truth of the matter is that some people want to re-look at it. That’s fine. That’s part of the process.”
“Fire protection has already been addressed,” said Commissioner Howard Thompson.
Commissioner Adam Lowe told city officials that the commission has asked for fresh information and will vote on what to do next in January 2011.
City Council members said any decision must be made with all residents, inside or outside the city limits, in mind.
“People, not politics,” said Councilman Bill Robertson.
Some county commissioners expressed the same thought.
“We do need to take the politics out of it,” Yarber said.
“I want to be a team player,” said recently elected Commissioner Terry Caywood. “We are not city and county. We are all Bradley County.”
There will always be differences, said Davis, because city and county leaders look at issues from different perspectives. But he said relations between the city and county are good.