That means the 54 businesses in the industrial park must negotiate with Rural/Metro individually for fire protection. About a dozen businesses in the district have said they want that right similar to all the county's other industrial parks.
Rural/Metro will work with individual businesses and property owners to seek subscription services to continue fire protection for the Forks of the River Park, the mayor's press release states.
Rural/Metro earlier said it might close the Forks of the River station, with a city fire station at Strawberry Plains picking up the slack. The industrial park is on Gov. John Sevier Highway.
The mayor's office said future service will depend on the number of subscribers.
The deal still must be approved by Knox County Commission at its Oct. 26 meeting.
"I applaud the cooperative spirit, and I am pleased that both parties have agreed to a compromise solution. I am optimistic that the private sector will work with Rural/Metro so that quality fire protection can continue in the park," Ragsdale said in the release. "I will encourage County Commission to follow this course of action."
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