EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
5 MAY 2025
Chair Commissioner Caleb Savage after noting prayer and pledge were done before in same day meeting asked for a motion on the 29 April 2025 minutes. Commissioner Annelle Guthrie moved the minutes be approved and with Commissioner James Lathrop providing the second, the minutes were approved unanimously. The Chair then asked for a motion to amend the agenda to allow a beginning announcement from EMS Director Bill Myers and from EMA Chief Josh Young. A motion to amend the agenda was made by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner James Lathrop and was approved unanimously.
EMS Director Bill Myers announced his resignation effective 23 May 2025 and noted his 2 ½ years as EMS Director had been an honor to serve. He said that it is a time to refocus and he thanked all for their support. County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe gave thanks to Director Myers mentioning what had been accomplished under his direction, particularly the unification across the emergency management services. The CE provided a handout describing the Joint Emergency Coordination Board (JECB) whose purpose is to lock-in interoperability and joint training of emergency services and law enforcement; a motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Brad Butler was made to accept the report describing the JECB. Motion approved unanimously.
EMA Chief Josh Young spoke on a Tennessee conference for Emergency Services where he was elected vice president for the middle region. He discussed the county’s proactive approach in particular helping not only Giles citizens but surrounding counties citizens, when needed, as well. He mentioned all departments involved, e.g., police, ambulance, fire and rescue and how life changing decisions are being made. He also discussed how the lines between Nashville to Giles is becoming a blur and how to prepare for that extension sets the bar high.
First Agenda Item – FY 25-26 Budget. The Chair mentioned that the county employees are budgeted for a 3% raise, including the EMA, and that the current budget shown includes the Director’s salary. He stated in any approval of budget that Director position would not need to be funded. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour was made to approve EMA Budget Line Item 101 with Director salary and benefits removed and to send the proposed budget to the Budget Committee. Motion approved unanimously. Willow Chavez discussed some of the surrounding counties, especially Marshall County, who have changed their working hours and have provided significant pay raises approximately two months ago. Due to those incentives Giles County has lost three employees and two more that were being considered for hire. Each mentioned pay as the reason for leaving. Some exit interviews mentioned several factors such as rooming situation on site not conducive to resting; too many chiefs not enough Indians; bunks too small; re insurance available at other location. The Chair mentioned he had sent several proposed budgets out showing various pay scales, comparing to Marshall and Lawrenceburg. He noted the various increase in cost per various pay scales. Commissioner David Adams asked about losing employees to Maury with Mrs. Chavez saying we do but we do several things to help since we don’t have the budget to compete with Maury. She mentioned training, career progression, and most enjoy coming to work but the pay is a significant incentive. The Chair mentioned that if could get close to some of the surrounding counties could help, although unlikely could match Maury. Commissioner Brad Butler mentioned lots of funding coming into the north end of Marshall County due to growth, so will be hard to compete. Commissioner David Wamble asked if 8% rather than the current pay scale put us in line with Ms. Chavez saying 10% would get us closer. Ms. Chavez also mentioned the remount in the budget and a new stretcher and auto load. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby asked if that would be on all ambulances with Ms. Chavez saying yes. Financial Manager (FM) Beth Moore-Sumners was asked about her insight into the health of the county’s finances for the upcoming budget year and she said the penny (a method of determining future revenue) is likely to grow but not enough to meet all the county’s total requirements. Commissioner Judy Pruett questioned the worth of the non-emergency transportation at the hospital with Ms. Chavez saying we do get funding from that service. EMS Director said there are two issues with that service, one being we are the only game in town, and the added “day truck” has more than paid for itself. Commissioner Judy Pruett said we aren’t growing so revenue is not growing, and there is no solution in sight. A motion by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Brad Butler was made to increase the option budget which shows an 8% increase for EMTs and a 10% increase for paramedics. Per discussion – Commissioner Shelly Goolsby asked why the maintenance repairs had tripled with Ms. Chavez saying if remain in building, need repairs. A $75K for a new truck, with Director Myers saying a supervisory truck to add capacity, can off load some equipment to a pick-up. Commissioner Evan Baddour said we have done a lot of band-aid fixes and can’t put off some of this much longer. Commissioner Tracy Wilburn asked if they are fully staffed now with Ms. Chavez saying yes although a substation at Minor Hill would require additional staff. Commissioner Baddour mentioned of all the budgets the public doesn’t want us to skimp on are life saving services – that when prioritizing this one is really important. The Chair asked why Marshall had done the significant raises with Ms. Chavez saying people were getting hurt that they had such a shortfall they had only one medic for entire county. Commissioner Wamble mentioned the increase for this budget so may need to scrutinize other lines closely. The Chair asked if there were any public comments at this time and there were not. The vote was taken on the above motion and was approved unanimously. Commissioner Matt Rubelsky stated he didn’t disagree with the importance of the services and the budget but, with all the other departments coming in, this is a revenue issue. Where are the dollars coming from? Commissioner Roeger Reedy said we can’t continue to put this off on the next generation, to face reality there will have to be a tax increase. Commissioner Terry Jones, Chair of the Budget committee said we have to be the bad guys when we approve these budgets or do not.
New business – Director Bill Myers was asked about the new proposal for the new building with the Director saying they are still waiting for a new estimate. Commissioner David Wamble said on the next agenda for EMS they will look at increasing revenue, with Commissioner Terry Jones saying a wheel tax has already passed in budget.
A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Brad Butler and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee Chair Commissioner Caleb Savage, Other Commissioners: Annelle Guthrie, Shelly Goolsby (for Carman Brown absent), Evan Baddour (for Joseph Sutton absent), Brad Butler, David Wamble, James Lathrop Other Commissioners in attendance: Joyce Woodard, Terry Jones, David Adams, Judy Pruett, Tracy Wilburn, Tim Risner, Matthew Hopkins, Roger Reedy, Matt Rubelsky, Gayle Jones Other Attendees: County Executive Graham Stowe, EMS Director Bill Myers, Other EMS: Willow Chavez, Josh Young
