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Contract is extended through March 31 Melodie Phelps News Editor The fire agreement contract between the city and the county has been extended through March 31, following action taken during a joint meeting on Tuesday, January 25 between the two governments. Members of the Monticello City Council agreed unanimously to extend the contract, following more than an hour of discussion with members of the Wayne County Fiscal Court and Fire Chief Steve Ferrell. The council also noted that any agreement that is reached after that date, would become retroactive to January 1. The City Council brought its original proposal to the county back to the table Tuesday night, as the two groups met at the ASPIRE Center. It is a contract that has previously been approved by the council, but the county has yet to act on it. The contract would see the amount of money paid by the county to the city for fire protection increase by $16,000 annually, to $104,000. County Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey stated Tuesday evening that he did not think the two parties were very far apart ³as far as the price goes.² The county did not specifically make any counter offer, but several magistrates had questions regarding ISO ratings and avenues to saving residents money on their homeownerıs insurance. Ferrell reviewed several important aspects of the ISO rating, which is part of the factor used to determine a homeownerıs insurance costs. The City of Monticello is a Class 5, while much of the five-mile radius around the city also falls into that class, depending on the distance a home is from a fire hydrant. The remainder of the county is a Class 10. Ramsey and several of the magistrates indicated they would like more information on ISO ratings and how those are determined. ³I think we need to learn more about it,² stated Ramsey. Officials said a meeting will be set up to provide more information on ISO ratings at a later date. Members of the Susie Fire Department, who were not allowed to address the officials during the meeting, requested they be present at any ISO informational meeting. Ramsey said that he would like for them to attend. Both the council and the fiscal court expressed appreciation for the chance to meet together on this issue. ³Itıs two governments, but it is one community,² said Ramsey. Add a comment |
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