CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Bradley County Commission would like to see some tweaks to a proposed Bradley County Fire-Rescue pay boost, which will be funded by an estimated $630,000 in revenue generated by a fire tax increase.
In March, the commission approved a plan to reset the county fire tax rate to .4712 cents per $100 of taxable property. Current fire tax levies, which are included on property tax notices, range between .3440 cents and .4212 cents per $100 of taxable property.
In a recent meeting, commissioners voted 12-1 to turn the matter over to the Bradley County Finance Committee, which is scheduled to review the fire department budget on May 26.
The measure was taken as an alternative to one presented by Commissioner Dan Rawls, who cast the sole opposing vote. Rawls recommended that the commission rescind the fire tax increase, which he also had opposed.
“I think this sets a bad precedent,” said Rawls, citing concerns with firefighter department salary increases ranging between 25 percent and 33 percent when other county departments might receive increases of 2 percent or less.
Jeff Yarber Another issue was that county ambulance service personnel are worried that they would not be able to pay overtime for firefighters who assist them, Rawls said.
In March, the Bradley County Fire Board approved a pay plan that would result in setting firefighter base pay at $27,500, amounting to a $3,000 increase over the current starting salary of $24,500. Incentives for higher levels of certifications could result in a firefighter earning nearly $32,000 after two years of service.
Commissioners also have expressed opposition to the fire board’s proposed pay increases for the officer ranks and for administration.
Bradley Commission Vice Chairman Jeff Yarber said he hoped the Finance Committee would be able to come back with a “proper salary disbursement” that achieves a consensus.
He suggested that administration and the higher echelons of command should receive whatever step increases other county departments receive, while the lower firefighter ranks still receive a significant salary increase. Incentive pay for certifications could be paid for the higher ranks as well, he said.
The “uniquely low” wages of county firefighters play a major role in the department’s consistent turnover, said Lt. Davis Sims of Bradley County Fire-Rescue.
Commissioner Milan Blake reiterated the possible need to channel some of the new fire tax levy revenues into the general fund.
Bradley County Fire-Rescue typically borrows $700,000 from the county general fund to pay for expenses until the property tax revenue cycle begins in October, Blake said.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.