County Approves EMA Cost Recovery, Rejects Pay Incentive

Several Commissioners and the County Mayor were not at the Commission meeting last Monday, October 13, but that didn't halt business.

Chairman Pro Tempore, Darrell Ridgely, led the 13-member meeting that addressed several topics, including EMA recovering costs for hazmat emergencies, a discussion on whether the County should pay an incentive for Commissioners' continuing education, and a host of other matters.

EMA Cost Recovery for Services

An uptick in Hazmat emergencies across Carroll County prompted EMA Director Trevor Foster to find ways of recouping some of the costs associated with hiring third-party cleanup organizations.

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Matt Church, Director of Operations at Ozone Environmental Services helped develop a Resolution which he says could help Carroll County recover thousands of dollars per year, and presented it to the Commission.

COST RECOVERY - Matt Church with Ozone Environmental Services highlighted the benefits of passing the cost recovery Resolution. Jesse Joseph/Carroll County Observer

“What this resolution does,” Church explained, “is give the county the ability to bill responsible parties or their insurance companies for the time and resources spent on cleanup.”

He said incidents such as fuel or chemical spills often tie up volunteer firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, and EMA personnel for hours.

“In the past, local departments got stuck with the bill while private cleanup companies made their money and left," he said. "This resolution makes sure the county gets reimbursed for its part.”

The resolution is modeled after a similar policy he helped institute in Coffee County.

"It has saved them more than $30,000 per year," Church said.

Commissioner Barry Mac Murphy expressed support for the Resolution.

“This helps us protect our emergency budget without putting any extra burden on the citizens of Carroll County,” he said.

Resolution 10-02-2025 passed unanimously.

Commissioner Education Incentive Discussion

The Commission also revisited whether Carroll County should compensate Commissioners who complete state-recommended education hours through the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS).

The state recommends counties pay their legislators a $600 incentive for completing education, but each county has to take it up through a Resolution, and it's not a requirement.

Commissioner Cyril Ostiguy presented the idea on two other occasions since December 2024, and both times have been met with opposition. On October 6, he convinced the Resolutions Committee to add the measure to agenda.

AGAINST IT - Commissioner Jay Phipps (left) expressed his opposition to Commissioner Cyril Ostiguy's (right) proposal for county-paid education incentive for commissioners. Jesse Joseph/Carroll County Observer

"If everyone here took it, it would amount to $12,600," said Commissioner Ridgely. "That's not in the current budget, so we would have to come back with another resolution to amend it, were it to pass."

Commissioner Murphy voiced his support for both the Resolution and for commissioners attending education.

"I highly recommend commissioners take advantage of training," he said. "You gain so much and it shows other folks, particularly the Comptroller, that we care and we're trying to do the right thing."

"I agree with Mr. Barry Mac [about education], but being compensated for it, I don't understand," said Commissioner Spiro Roditis.

He added that when he got elected to the commission, he didn't know about, or expect, the compensation that commissioners receive for each meeting.

"We're serving our community, and we get $100 per month. That's $1200 per year," Roditis said. "I think that's plenty."

Other commissioners expressed similar sentiments.

Commissioner Murphy motioned to adopt the Resolution and Ostiguy gave a second, but all other commissioners voted 'no'.

Other Business

Additionally, the commission approved several appointments.

Dr. Lee Carter was reappointed as Carroll County Medical Examiner for another five-year term, extending through 2030.

Commissioner Ridgely noted that the role is not easy to fill, and said the county is “blessed to have someone willing to continue serving in this important position.”

The Commission reappointed Mike Cary, Jeruna Cozart, and Anna Todd to the Carroll County Health and Educational Facilities Board.

Several budget amendments were approved, including:

An additional $1,000 allocation to the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Camden, correcting a clerical error from earlier in the fiscal year that had reduced its funding from $1,500 to $500.

A mental health grant for the Sheriff’s Department, which is utilized annually to support inmate services and staff training.

An amendment to the School Resource Officer (SRO) grant, which requires returning unspent funds to the state.

An amendment for the Health Department, correcting an omission from the original budget related to state and local cost shares.

A purchase authorization for new computers in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, replacing outdated equipment at a cost of approximately $8,100.

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The next County Commission meeting will take place on Monday, November 10 inside the council room of the Carroll County Office Complex at 7 p.m.

County Approves EMA Cost Recovery, Rejects Pay Incentive

Hollow Rock Fire Department Receives $77,300 Grant

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County Approves EMA Cost Recovery, Rejects Pay Incentive

EMA Cost Recovery for Services

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Hollow Rock Fire Department Receives $77,300 Grant

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