McMinn County rural fire hydrant installation grant

How it works

McMinn County says it is its policy to help fund the placement of one rural fire hydrant per year in each fire district. The county commission approves a grant for payment toward installation, and the hydrant is installed by the local utility provider. The county’s minutes show the program has been used repeatedly in recent years.

What the money covers

The county grant is for the installation of the hydrant. The official form also says the hydrant may or may not be maintained by the utility after installation, and the applicant accepts responsibility for maintenance items such as painting, mowing, arranging hydrant testing, and keeping maintenance records.

Amounts and matching

The official 2024 minutes state the grant amount is $6,000 per hydrant, based on available funds and approval of the Emergency Services Committee. Older county minutes show the amount was $3,000 per hydrant in 2018 and 2019, so the current amount in the record is $6,000.

How to apply

The application is made through a county resolution process. The county minutes include a request form to be filled out by a citizen or department chief, with approval by the rural fire district chief and commissioner signatures.

Timing and deadlines

The county’s minutes say only one hydrant per fire district per fiscal year is funded. The utility provider must complete and bill the installation to McMinn County within the fiscal year following the year the application is approved; otherwise, the utility provider assumes the installation costs.