Banks County fire dept. to protect Maysville
The Maysville City Council ended its fire protection agreement with the volunteer department responsible for fighting blazes in the Banks County portion of the city for more than 20 years.
Banks County 911 and the Banks County Fire Department were notified of the change and planned to adjust its service area on Aug. 2. The county’s fire department will take over as lead agency that answers city fire calls.
“There will be no lapse in coverage,” said councilwoman Lynn Villyard after the meeting. “Banks County is poised and ready to respond.”
The council’s unanimous decision to end the contract with the Maysville Area Volunteer Fire Department came during Monday’s regular council meeting.
Chief James Lyle was present but did not speak. A formal letter submitted to the council by his department’s board of directors called the separation “unfortunate.”
“The Fire Board cannot continue to stretch its limited funds to protect this area in Banks County,” the letter stated. “We believe that we have served the citizens and property owners in that response area in a very acceptable and professional fashion during many past years.”
At issue was the cost of the volunteer department’s services. Lyle requested $23,000 from Maysville for 2011 based on a formula involving the Jackson County’s fire district tax rate (1.11 mil) and the tax digest of Maysville’s Banks County portion.
It’s a funding method that the department has used – and the city agreed to – since the Jackson County fire district formed around 1987, Lyle said.
But council members started questioning the validity of the method entering this budget year in January. The panel chose to allocate $11,500 to the department for the first six months of fire protection and study of the matter mid-year.
In the meantime, Lyle was asked to provide the council with specifics about how the department spent the money. He refused, arguing that contractual obligations between the city and independent agencies are not subject to such intense scrutiny.
Council disagreed during a tense workshop session last week. They questioned how much money the department received, the funding method, and the department’s unwillingness to negotiate.
“That is taxpayer money and we’re accountable for it,” councilman Stephan Lewis said.
Added Villyard: “To just say we want $23,000 no questions asked, no accountability. That’s just not acceptable,” she said. “We could hardly do anything other than what we did.”
The Maysville department will continue covering the city’s Jackson County areas. Lyle said the department also will respond to Banks County fires in support of the county as part of mutual aid agreements.
He expressed sadness after the decision Monday, echoing statements he made last week that the argument between the council and the department was personal.
“They wouldn’t have this place without me,” Lyle said, referring to his deep ties to the department. “It hurts my feelings.”
“There will be no lapse in coverage,” said councilwoman Lynn Villyard after the meeting. “Banks County is poised and ready to respond.”
The council’s unanimous decision to end the contract with the Maysville Area Volunteer Fire Department came during Monday’s regular council meeting.
Chief James Lyle was present but did not speak. A formal letter submitted to the council by his department’s board of directors called the separation “unfortunate.”
“The Fire Board cannot continue to stretch its limited funds to protect this area in Banks County,” the letter stated. “We believe that we have served the citizens and property owners in that response area in a very acceptable and professional fashion during many past years.”
At issue was the cost of the volunteer department’s services. Lyle requested $23,000 from Maysville for 2011 based on a formula involving the Jackson County’s fire district tax rate (1.11 mil) and the tax digest of Maysville’s Banks County portion.
It’s a funding method that the department has used – and the city agreed to – since the Jackson County fire district formed around 1987, Lyle said.
But council members started questioning the validity of the method entering this budget year in January. The panel chose to allocate $11,500 to the department for the first six months of fire protection and study of the matter mid-year.
In the meantime, Lyle was asked to provide the council with specifics about how the department spent the money. He refused, arguing that contractual obligations between the city and independent agencies are not subject to such intense scrutiny.
Council disagreed during a tense workshop session last week. They questioned how much money the department received, the funding method, and the department’s unwillingness to negotiate.
“That is taxpayer money and we’re accountable for it,” councilman Stephan Lewis said.
Added Villyard: “To just say we want $23,000 no questions asked, no accountability. That’s just not acceptable,” she said. “We could hardly do anything other than what we did.”
The Maysville department will continue covering the city’s Jackson County areas. Lyle said the department also will respond to Banks County fires in support of the county as part of mutual aid agreements.
He expressed sadness after the decision Monday, echoing statements he made last week that the argument between the council and the department was personal.
“They wouldn’t have this place without me,” Lyle said, referring to his deep ties to the department. “It hurts my feelings.”
Here it comes those crocodile tears every time James doesn't get his way !
Mr. Lyles your job is to protect Lives and Property, not to keep a $200,000 fund balance on hand! I applaud the City council for finally standing up to this bully who has been going unchecked for years.
Maysville Fire is well known for it's lack of training and professionalism in Jackson County.How many houses have burned to the ground on Deer run ? I remember the one in the cul de Sac, James Lyle instructed they wait for him to drive the engine ! City of Commerce and all of it's trucks were there long before Maysville !
The other issue no one talks about is the Mayors conflict of interest serving on that Fire Department but not excusing himself from this ? Does his loyalty lie with the people of Maysville or his Fire Dept. Buddies ?
The folks on the Banks County side are lucky there rid of this group of buffoons as were stuck with them in Jackson.
The fact Lyles won't show his books is because he is sitting on tons of cash. That dept can't justify there fee and blindly listens to whatever Lyles and Parsons says.
The bigger issue I have is why the BOC continues to allow this sub standard dept to operate. At s
ome point someone is going to get hurt.
Big thumbs up to the Maysville council for making them accountable.
I agree with poster #3 that Mayor Baker needs to step away from this. I would say he should take a leave of absence from the Fire Dept. while serving as Mayor.
James Lyles did help build that department but like so many doesn't know when things have passed him by.
Mr.Lyles step away with honor and retire.
I was aware of this sitition. Is main street news trying to keep people in Bakst county in the dark?
Concerned citizen. Needs to get a clue, Lyle is the fire chief not the police chief.
Lyle is accurate, his feelings are hurt, and his leadership has built the maysville department Into what it is,
he's still driving around in a car paid for by the taxpayers.
USA USA USA
You see folks Lyles can't fight his own battles so he is calling people like Larry and Tom Crow to bail him out.
Your not in the city Larry and your not a member of the department. (if you are a member or active your violating your fire pension fund)
As for Lyles getting his feelings hurt, he is a 60 something year old man and needs to act like a man not a spoiled 12 year old.
Fact remains it's tax payers money and Lyles will not disclose his expenditures.WHY ?
1. Jame Lyle did not call me or contat me in any way.
2. You are correct, I don't live in the city of. Maysville.
3. The reason for my comment was to question main street news for not having this item on the banks county on-line edition.
4. I stand by my comment as being totally accurate. (believe it or not, 60 somthing year olds have feelings - good, bad, or otherwise, the maysville fire dept. Is what it is ; because of James lyle)
5. As for my pension, it's not enough - your contribution would be appreciated.
If you are. " in the know" we are in trouble. Retired and trying to live, that would me.
I take it you believe in hiding that?
"good, bad, or otherwise, the maysville fire dept. Is what it is ; because of James lyle"
James answered ALL those calls by himself ? Cooked Chicken by himself ?
There are a number of people that built that Dept: James Brooks,Hubert Blalock,Billy Parson, Ricky Savage just to name a few.
Maybe just maybe if James would
A.Start giving credit to others who were involved.
B.Would try to mend a few fences and be humble.
Then Mr.Williams people would take up for him.
As is he comes off as do you as some what condescending in your and his "I/He built this place"
This issue is about fiscal responsibility but also about someone who forgot that many people through the years helped him get to where he is.
This whole mess is about $3,000. What should have happened is a $1500 compromise not the mess we have above.
I do agree with poster number #1. Maybe a county wide fire dept with 1 Chief not 10 would serve us all better.