A process to localize fire services in Lakeland will be on the Shelby County Commission (SCC) agenda today (4.16.18) at 3 p.m. in first floor chambers, 160 N. Main St.
Shelby County Commissioner David Reaves has sponsored the following:
A resolution to approve an Interlocal Agreement between Shelby County Government and the City of Lakeland to render aid to the other as needed for firefighting, rescue, emergency medical, or related technical support services and authorizing the Shelby County Mayor to execute said contract. There is no cost for this Interlocal Agreement.
Link to SCC agenda: https://shelbycountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/32278
Transitioning from County to City fire services has been a topic of conversation with Lakeland commissioners to lower and then eliminate the fire fee currently on MLGW bills, with no tax increase.
At a Feb. 1 BOC (Board of Commissioners) meeting in Lakeland, City Attorney Chris Patterson explained the possible transition of fire services from Shelby County to the City of Lakeland.
The start date for Lakeland to begin operation of the municipal fire department could be July 1, 2019. “There is a lot of work to be done,” said Mr. Patterson. Among the tasks are sending notice to the Shelby County Fire Department of the City’s plan to leave.
He discussed coverage areas and said they will effectively be the same as with service now. Some areas will receive service from Lakeland first, then Shelby County, he said. And in some cases it will be the reverse.
Link to Lakeland interlocal document: https://lakelandtn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6903
“The County has been very easy to work with,” said Mr. Patterson. But he emphasized, “It’s very important that the BOC know if you move forward, you’ve got to get this going in a year and a half.”
Mayor Wyatt Bunker complimented the working relationship between the two governments saying, “It’s a huge success story, working together.”
Creating a Lakeland fire department was meeting number two in a series of five sessions for the Lakeland 2020 Strategic Plan. The fire discussion was in October 2017.
At the Feb. 8 BOC meeting, Jim Atkinson, city manager, estimated the cost on fire services, including some increased funding for salaries, to be just shy of $1.4 million.
Mayor Bunker said the current fire fee is $2.2 million to Shelby County Fire Department.
“This has been an extended effort for the Board. He cited the legislative initiative, time and effort of the commissioners and staff and attorneys. We are really going to save the citizens in the long term. Our intent is to phase out the fire fee with no tax increase.”
