Members of the Financial Management Committee discussed the need for a policy regarding private individuals loaning personally owned equipment to the county during the group’s meeting on Wednesday.

Committee member Commissioner Charles VonCannon broached the subject of citizens loaning equipment to the county in response to his own experience following the devastating fire that destroyed vehicles, equipment, and a garage building at the Carter County Landfill.

“I would move we adopt a policy on the use of personal equipment during times of emergency,” VonCannon said. “There is no policy, and therefore there should be a policy.”

Committee member Director of Carter County Schools Dr. Kevin Ward seconded VonCannon’s motion.

Following the January fire at the Carter County Landfill, members of the Landfill Committee met in a special called meeting to discuss the items lost and determine the best course to follow as the county waited to receive reimbursement from the insurance company.

During that meeting, Solid Waste Director Benny Lyons provided the committee with a list of the tools, equipment, and vehicles that were destroyed by the blaze.

“I just went down the list of things needed and saw things I had that I could loan,” VonCannon told the Financial Management Committee on Wednesday morning. “The need was there. I volunteered the need and it was turned down.”

VonCannon said he offered to loan some items of equipment which he owns to the landfill for their use until replacement equipment could be obtained. He said there were some concerns regarding what would happen if the equipment owned by him was damaged or stolen while it was being used by the landfill.

“I told them I would just write it off,” VonCannon said.

VonCannon said his offer of loaning the equipment was rejected. “I guess you can turn down a gift horse,” he said.

Because of that recent experience, VonCannon said he would like to see the county adopt a policy regarding the use of equipment loaned to the county by private citizens.

“I think in the future this should be looked at because it could be a savings for the county,” VonCannon said.

Others on the Financial Management Committee had questions about VonCannon’s motion and what it would require.

“If someone offers to loan the county some equipment or something like that, and that person doesn’t want to accept it I don’t think they should be forced to take it,” Commissioner Bobbie Gouge-Dietz said.

Carter County Finance Director Christa Byrd said the county could not adopt a policy that would require department heads or elected officials to accept the loan of equipment from private citizens. She said she also felt the issue could be addressed without drawing up a new policy.

“We have a form for volunteers to sign releasing us from liability,” Byrd explained. “I think we need something similar drafted by our attorney, for equipment.”

During the discussion on the issue, VonCannon said he changed his mind.

“I just withdraw the motion because I see that saving money is not an option,” VonCannon said.

Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey said the county should refer the matter to County Attorney Josh Hardin. Financial Management Committee Chairman Danny Ward said Hardin would be in attendance at the committee’s meeting next month and they could discuss the matter with him.