RINGGOLD, Ga. — Catoosa commissioners will consider in a special meeting Tuesday two offers that came out of a mediation session seeking to settle the legal dispute over fire services in the county.
Commissioners will decide whether to stick to an offer of $200,000 to Post Volunteer Fire and Rescue for a year of service in unincorporated areas, or to also pay $175,000 for one year to Fort Oglethorpe, officials said.
Those were the choices that resulted from a 7-hour session Monday with mediator Floyd Hale.
Superior Court Judge Ralph Hill about six weeks ago ordered the mediation between the county, the city and Post Volunteer, after Fort Oglethorpe/Post Volunteer filed suit against the county on claims of breach of contract and duplication of services.
Catoosa County Attorney Skip Patty, County Manager Mike Helton, Catoosa Fire and Rescue Chief Charles Nichols and Finance Officer Carl Henson Jr. attended Monday’s session.
Fort Oglethorpe/Post Volunteer representatives included City Attorney Ron Goulart, Fort Oglethorpe and Post Fire Chief Bruce Ballew and Post Board Chairman Marlin Thompson.
Catoosa County negotiators proposed paying Post Volunteer $200,000 for service for a year with a 120-day cancellation notice.
Fort Oglethorpe countered with a proposal that the county pay Post the $200,000, and also pay $175,000 to the city with an absolute one-year contract.
FACT BOX
Catoosa fire service proposal:
Pay Post Volunteer $200,000 yearly for service, with cancellation clause
Post Volunteer/Fort Oglethorpe proposal:
Pay Post $200,000 and Fort Oglethorpe $175,000 yearly
Catoosa County began in 2007 working to consolidate fire protection services, rather than having three departments — Catoosa Fire and Rescue, Fort Oglethorpe Fire and Post Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
Commissioners gave notice to the city and Post that the county was canceling contracts with them that included monthly payments to each to help protect areas of Catoosa County outside the Fort Oglethorpe city limits. The lawsuit was filed on the eve of the deadline.
Mr. Goulart said his understanding is that if no agreement is reached, everyone will be back in court the following day.
“Judge Hill could order the parties into mediation again,” he said. “If that action fails to gain agreement, we might end up with an appointed judge from another judicial circuit conducting an evidentiary hearing with mandatory mediation.”
County Attorney Patty said if they wind up back in court, he may request the judge order direct negotiations be held with county commission and city council members.
“The representatives for the respective sides in the hearing Monday do not have the power to approve proposals,” Mr. Patty said. “Direct talks by those with the ability to accept or reject proposals or counter proposals could eliminate one step in the current process.”
Catoosa Finance Officer Carl Henson Jr. said the county proposal to fund Post Volunteer at $200,000 annually for coverage in unincorporated areas also included placing a new fire engine at both Post fire stations.
“The county plans to spend the $2,140,000 that it receives in insurance tax premiums for fire protection,” Mr. Henson said. “The county is positioned where the unexpected funding of Post Volunteer/Fort Oglethorpe beyond May will not produce an overrun with that portion of our budget.”
