As requested, Loudon County Mayor Doyle Arp appointed an Implementation Task Force to follow through with the work of the Loudon County Volunteer Fire Service Study Committee to explore ways to improve fire protection in the county. 

Mike Collins was named task force chairman. He was the chairman of study committee and Arp said his good work in that position made him the clear candidate to chair the task force. 

Arp also named Tony Newton, Jack Murmyle, Bill Hart of Loudon County Fire and Rescue (LCFR), Tracy Blair, director of accounts and budgets for the county, Commissioners Chris Park, Wayne Gardin and Harold Duff, E-911 Director Jennifer Estes, himself and Kevin Lauer of CTAS to be on the task force. 

The original committee was formed in 2009 after Rural Metro withdrew from the county causing some homeowners to pay higher insurance rates.

Loudon County, excluding the full time, paid departments in Loudon and Lenoir City, is covered by three volunteer fire departments -- the Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department (primarily District 7), the Greenback Volunteer Fire Department (primarily District 3) and Loudon County Fire and Rescue which serves the balance of the county. 

The committee submitted their findings to the commissioners at the last commission workshop when they outlined their recommendations which included hiring one on-site, daytime fireman at both the Martel and Eaton's Crossroads stations; improvements at each station to accommodate daytime personnel; hiring a full time department administrator and re-apportioning LCFR's existing budget to allow long term equipment updates and purchases. 

The committee also told commissioner there are two options - a Fire Tax District or a Fire Utility District to increase revenue for fire protection. In a Fire Tax District an additional estimated property tax of 5 cents would be levied with an incremental impact. 

This option requires the commission's approval and 30 days notice to affected property owners. This assumes the county's annual contribution to LCFR continues.  

A Fire Utility District is funded by subscription and fire and rescue operations operate as an independent utility. It requires the authorization of the county mayor, the appointment of a three-member Fire Utility Board and public hearings. 

This option requires start up capital and more administrative support. 

Upgrading fire and rescue services in the county would give property owners a shot at lower insurance rates which come with improved fire service. 

Monday night, Arp said once the task force is up and running, notice would appear in the newspaper about meeting dates. 

Arp said he thought it was a good idea to appoint Collins as chair of the task force but if the members wanted to elect their own chairman that would work as well. Gardin moved to approve the task force and to follow Arp's recommendation of Collins as chairman. The commission agreed voting in favor.

Commissioner Don Miller, who was on vacation during the workshop where Collins presented the findings of the committee, said Collins and the group were to be commended for their work and that he especially liked that their recommendations were "backed up by facts and figures."