RINGGOLD, Ga. – Catoosa County commissioners on Tuesday tabled a decision to terminate a contract with the Post Fire Department, giving them more time to negotiate fire coverage with Fort Oglethorpe officials.
After an hour and 10 minutes in a closed-door executive session to discuss legal issues, the commissioners emerged with the decision to delay the vote.
The nonprofit Post department voted last week to join Fort Oglethorpe, surrendering its gear to the city.
Because of the merger, Post no longer will cover an area of western Catoosa County, leaving the county scrambling to offer fire protection until its own station in the area opens in November.
Battalion Chief Gary McGhee, treasurer for Post, addressed the commission to inform them of the merger with Fort Oglethorpe.
After the meeting, he said he was not surprised by the delay.
“It’s part of the process,” he said.
Reached by phone Tuesday, Commissioner Ken Marks said Fort Oglethorpe and Post should have everything finalized and signed by the next County Commission meeting.
Once that is complete, the county and city can discuss whether Fort Oglethorpe would cover the areas of the county for a short time, he said.
Marks said any rumors about residents not being covered is “hogwash.”
“One thing about all three of us – Post, the city and the county – we want continued fire service in that part of the county,” he said.
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