CITY ADMINISTRATOR JEFF LOONEY reviews the need for new fire equipment before giving the floor to Fire Chief Matt Foree during a recent workshop meeting at Fairfield City Hall.

 

Tempers flared during last week’s workshop when inquiries about finances entered the discussion of equipment needs for Fairfield’s Volunteer Fire Department.

The difficulty lies in the fact that, while FVFD receives funds from the City, they are a separate entity.

Now that Fire Chief Matt Foree receives part time pay from the City, he represents both groups:  the volunteer firefighters and the City of Fairfield.

A contractual agreement has been signed between the City and Foree.

An agreement between the City and the Volunteer Fire Department is still being reviewed.

“There will come a day when this will not be an issue,” stated Mayor Roy Hill, as the City looks toward the goal of having a full-time paid fire department.  “I ask the council to keep an open mind, as facts come out.

Several suggestions for funding sources were made during the March 21, 2017 workshop, including soliciting private donations and exploring the creation of a Fire and Emergency District.

During the regular meeting that followed, council approved a resolution to provide self-contained breathing apparatus equipment to Fairfield FVD.

City Administrator Jeff Looney reported to Council that the City did not receive the grant for the proposed Spray Pad.  “I didn’t want to tell ya’ll,” he said.  “I am so disappointed!”

According to Looney, the Spray Pad was one of 36 proposed projects, and the federal grants were not funded as initially expected.

A separate grant, in the amount of $18,000 for a Police repeater, is more likely to be awarded, according to the City Administrator.  Fairfield is currently ranked 6th for this HOTCOG grant.

Also reported by Looney, Sales Tax totals were down by 9%, with a total of $112,347.

Additional action during this meeting was approval for the posting for the position of Park Director.

A request for Hotel/Motel Tax Funds from Caney Creek Lodge was tabled for more information.

Fairfield City Council is holding a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, March 21st at 5:30 p.m. for a presentation of the 2016 Financial Audit, and discussion and possible action regarding the request from Caney Creek Lodge for Hotel/Motel monies.

Meeting will be followed by a workshop at 6:00 p.m. to head a presentation from Clay Avery of the Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts.