Highland County Board of Supervisors Tables Hiring of Chief Amid Recall Hearing

The July 17 meeting of the Highland County Board of Supervisors started with a very brief agenda. Under new business, there were two mechanical issues listed to be discussed, both for ambulances. The board also had a few issues to discuss in closed meeting, two that involved personnel – one under duties and another accepting a resignation, and one contract discussion.  

Ambulance 701 was reported to have a severe coolant leak and transmission issues. EMS 1, a quick response unit, was also reported, saying it smelled like the oil has fuel mixed into it. The unit is also having trouble maintaining speed up and down the mountain. The ambulance, 701, has had so many issues that Supervisor Paul Trible wondered if it was worth putting more time and money toward. Interim County Administrator Jerri Botkin reported EMS 1 has had no major issues, but is a 2013 so repairs have been done but nothing excessive. EMS 1 has about 160,000 miles, and ambulance 701 has around 180,000 miles. Supervisor Harry Sponaugle had spoken to several people involved and said that EMS 1 likely has an injector issue that wouldn’t be super expensive to fix. The board voted, and asked for EMS 1 to be taken to Hiner’s to get a quote. A unanimous vote by the board also gave Botkin the ability to get an estimate from Dean Moyers on ambulance 701, with a special look at transmission. 

The board then entered closed session, reconvening in open meeting voting to table the EMS chief position hiring until the August 6 meeting. Supervisor Chair Henry Budzinski has been very vocal about the need to fill the position immediately with the right candidate, stating that it’s bad for the county and EMS personnel to be “chief-less.” 

Budzinski and Sponaugle received notice to to appear in Highland County Circuit on July 10 for a show-cause hearing, but that hearing was continued late in the evening on July 9. A new court date has not been announced. All of this stems from on a petition to recall Budzinski and Sponaugle, but Budzinski said it shouldn’t change the need to hire a new chief expeditiously. 

The next meeting of the Highland County Board of Supervisors will be August 6 at 7:30 p.m.