West Macon Rescue Director, Danny Hunter, spoke to commissioners Monday night concerning challenges he is facing with his department.

According to Hunter, the Lafayette Police Department has been their primary dispatching headquarters. When West Macon Rescue needed to be dispatched out, Lafayette Police Department dispatchers would call them.

Lafayette has now decided not to dispatch them out anymore. The reason is that the dispatchers of Lafayette do not know the layout of the county and are often unsure of when they need to dispatch West Macon or Macon Rescue.

West Macon Rescue is a first response team and they are fully certified and equipped to handle vehicle accidents.

Hunter has spoke with Lafayette Fire Chief Keith Scruggs and Macon County EMS Director, Steve Jones, about his concern.

Hunter asked Jones if they would be responsible for dispatching the rescue squad. Jones stated that he would need to discuss it with Dennis Wolford at Macon County General Hospital due to the contract they have with them.

It was also asked of Sheriff Joe Ferguson whether his dispatchers could dispatch out the West Macon Rescue Squad. Sheriff Ferguson stated that the sheriff department dispatchers also were completely covered in work. The sheriff reported that the dispatchers could not handle any more work than is already required of them.

Hunter stated that his squad is equipped to handle any car accidents in the west side of the county. His concern is that why should an accident victim have to wait for a rescue squad to come out of Lafayette when his crew can be on the scene in minutes. Sometimes a person needs immediate assistance and as part of the first response team they are equipped to provide it.

In the road department, commissioners agreed to allow Road Supervisor Glenn Ray to purchase a used mower for the estimated price of $10,000. At the present time, Ray has three bush hogs unavailable and this would place one back on the road.

It was also reported from an audience member that Eulia Lane has a gate across the roadway. According to Ray, no county road is supposed to have a gate across it. Ray is going to investigate the matter.

A report from Donnie Morgan, Tax Assessor, was received stating that the county had collected 91% of taxes for the year.

County Mayor Glen Donoho stated that he was very proud of the new fire engine obtained by the Willette Fire Department. The department is now looking to purchase a tanker and brush truck.

Donoho also stated that the pay phone was to be removed from the courthouse lawn.

The commissioners are scheduled to meet again Monday, March 15, at 6 p.m.