Director Michael Bonner to retire July 31; board appoints Paul Tibbs interim director

Michael Bonner told the Coffee County Ambulance Authority on July 16 that he will retire effective July 31, 2026. The board moved quickly to set the transition steps, approving minimum prerequisites for the next chief and naming an interim director.

The board approved a slate of pre-requisites for the incoming chief that call for six years of critical-care experience and three years in a supervisory position, according to meeting minutes. Dr. Jay Trussler moved to approve the prerequisites as amended; Frank Watkins seconded and the motion passed.

Dr. Trussler also moved that Paul Tibbs serve as interim director while the authority recruits a permanent replacement; Frank Watkins seconded and the motion passed. Dr. Trussler said the board will convene a work session to screen and discuss resumes for the permanent hire.

The motions were recorded as passed in the minutes; the meeting did not include a roll-call tally for those votes. The authority set a follow-up timeline by planning a work session and scheduling the next regular meeting for Aug. 20, 2026.