The proposed merger of the Bradley County and Cleveland City Fire Departments took a back seat at Monday night’s County Commission meeting when commissioners voted to notify the city that the county will not renew the current fire contract.
The contract does not expire for another year. However, the County had to act before June 30 or the contract would have automatically renewed for another five years.
Commissioner Mel Griffin made the motion to notify the city and authorize County Mayor Gary Davis to begin negotiation on a new fire contract.
County Mayor Davis said a new fire contract would not prevent the city and county from continuing to investigate a possible future merger of the fire departments.
Commissioner Mark Hall said he felt a new contract would give both bodies some time to determine the best course of action, while still providing good fire protection for the entire county.
County Mayor Davis said the options are “to continue to operate under a new contract with the city’s fire department, negotiate a merger, or the we can continue to expand our own fire department.”