Nashville City Council

Yesterday’s Nashville City Council meeting began with the filling of a council seat. Herbert Turrley was sworn in yesterday by Mayor Billy Ray Jones. Herbert will be representing Ward 5 in position 2.

The Nashville Parks and Recreation board gave its recommendation to fill the Park Director position with Meghan Floyd yesterday. Floyd has temporarily filled this position since August of this year. The board voted with 8 for and none against – installing Floyd into the position effective immediately.

 Fire Chief, Justin Thornton, took the podium updating the council members on his search for a Fire Truck for the city. Thornton stated that he is seeking to lower the associated maintenance cost of keeping the older rigs up and running. 

As well as lower monthly costs moving forward, Thornton stated their current trucks are overloaded and at max capacity concerning gear. A new truck would not only allow for better distribution of gear but also better preparedness concerning the department’s arrival on the scene of a fire. And according to Thornton, in the fire fighting business, saving time means saving property and lives.

Thornton said his search has led him to a 2009 Spartan Mill Rescue Pumper with 7,000 miles and a price tag of $265,000. Council members gave their blessing for Thornton to travel to Alabama, where the truck is located, to see it in person before presenting the board with a request to buy. Several board members agreed this was a good deal and probably wouldn’t last. It was also mentioned in the meeting that new units that fit what the department needs currently go for $730,000 brand new. Quotes on financing for the used option were for $200,000 after Thornton said selling 1 of their current trucks could net them between $65-75,000. Diamond Bank quoted 2.7% interest on a 5 year loan with payments being approximately $3,563 per month. This to be paid using the Capital Reserve fund allowing the purchase to be covered under the department’s existing budget considerations.