Commissioners consider splitting EMS/fire marshal position

The Polk County Board of Commissioners made changes last week to how the medical director will be funded and is considering splitting the current EMS director/fire marshal and emergency management director’s position.

Commissioners met Monday, Feb. 18 and approved fully funding the medical director position, which was formerly shared by St. Luke’s Hospital. Now the lease with the hospital says the county will fully fund the medical director position and the hospital will fund patient transports within the county.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson voted against the change to the lease after making a motion that died for the lack of a second.

Gasperson’s motion was that the county approve the lease addendum contingent that it also be approved by the St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Trustees and that Polk County Government will still make certain that medical director, or interim medical director, will fulfill all requirements as listed in the job posting as advertised in the Feb. 15 Tryon Daily Bulletin.

Commissioners later directed interim county manager Marche Pittman to hire an interim medical director and return to commissioners to approve a contract. Pittman said as of last week the only application came from Dr. Lonnie Lassiter.