Mutual aid group withdraws formal budget request, plans countywide training program

Steve Ballot, president of the Mutual Aid Association, told the Joint Commission of the Budget that his organization will not request county funds this budget cycle because it is stepping back from administering the Knox County Fire and Training Academy.

Ballot said the association has regrouped and will pivot to a training‑focused mission, offering quarterly trainings for county fire departments and bringing in outside speakers. “We’re gonna hold quarterly trainings for the county fire departments,” Ballot said, and added the group will return next budget cycle with a more detailed cost breakdown if it asks for money.

Committee members pressed for details about who will run the academy and how the county will be involved. County staff and committee members said another organization will operate the academy this year and that the county will assign a liaison from administration and communications rather than create a new full‑time position immediately.

Several members welcomed the decision not to request funding this year while stressing the importance of county input if future support is requested. One member said the county prefers to have a role beyond simply writing a check: “We don’t really want to just give our money away to another organization,” the committee member said.

The association emphasized it will return with a specific budget when ready. No formal vote was taken; the committee confirmed there was not a quorum for decisions at this meeting.