WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE FIRE SERVICES DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

  

Washington County Commissioners agreed today (Tuesday) to formalize a job description for the new position of fire services director.

The action follows a workshop last week where commissioners reviewed specific aspects of the role, which is a revised version of the fire marshal position considered earlier this year and will incorporate both fire and emergency management services.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said this final description is the culmination of hours of debate between the county and local fire officials, and he believes the result is suitable for all parties involved.

The fire services director will be responsible for “the strategic direction, development, implementation, and oversight of comprehensive programs relating to fire safety, emergency preparedness, and non-law enforcement public safety.”  It also “ensures compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and standards” and “serves as the primary liaison with fire departments, emergency responders, law enforcement, regulatory agencies, Commissioners, and the media.”

The pay range listed for the position is $79,843 - $119,764, dependent on qualifications.

No fire department members spoke at today’s meeting.  However, at last week’s workshop, Brenham Fire Department Volunteer Assistant Chief Stephen Draehn and Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Tim Hamff offered their support of the changes to the fire services director position from the initial fire marshal proposal.

Human Resources Director Amber Skalka told the court last week that the county plans to hire a candidate to start by January 1^st. 

In other business today, the court:

• Approved the Washington County Clerk’s records archive plan for Fiscal Year 2026, following a public hearing.  County Clerk Nicholas Prenzler said the plan outlines how fees collected from the filing of records will go into a fund supporting the preservation and digitization of old documents.
• Accepted a resolution accepting Robert Jensen’s voluntary dedication and grant of private property for public safety use, as well as a quit claim deed conveying the property to the county.  Jensen’s gift allows the county to have its own access to the helicopter hangar in Old Washington, rather than having to use the Washington Volunteer Fire Department’s driveway. 
• Approved a contract for the purchase of Intec Apex Court Solutions software for use by the justice of the peace courts and authorizing $49,980 in one-time costs from the justice of the peace technology fund.
• Approved the 2025 Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival mass gathering and right-of-way permit applications.
• Reviewed the Office of Emergency Management’s quarterly report.
• Read a proclamation declaring the month of October as Dyslexia Awareness Month in Washington County.