HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_2159 (2)ATTACHMENT A May 20, 1999
As per cur discussions over die last few months, these arc sonic of the more major areas that !h:
fire tax buard feels deserve further investigation and action. They could provide both improvements to Cie.
Cre dapartment services as well as better utilization of die tax dollars collected for these services. With tic
annual budget nearing 1.5 million dollars, including over S400,000.00 dollars for debt repoymem, we L^e! it
is time more attention be paid to this area of county services, as well as some responsibility and
accountability being assigned Some of die follooing areas arc either in process or we have held
preliminary discussions on diem.
Review all current outstanding debts in order to develop accelerated repayment pians where
appropriate to reduce interest expense.
Many decisions over the past several years have been bused on a consultants study tat is alicz%
out of date and in our opinion should be redone and expanded to include facilities as well as equipment. it
is almost a decision by default, because everyone has been given die expectation that this study is die
'Bible'. Not so, and if we decide this is the way to go it must be updated at the least. Additionaliy Cher. is
another issue, as it relates to the purchase of fire trucks that should be investigated
We need a complete review of the situation regarding fire hydrants throughout the county. \tiny
areas are without Gus protection and arc therefore paying much higher rates for homeowners ui uldmhc..
Ebenezer for example is wed as a 619 meaning area with hydrants arc a 6 and eligible for a significant
reduction in premiums over diose nithout who must pay at a 9 classification Most notable here arc some
areas on Lake Norman who have very expensive homes and pay a large portion of all taxes. including the
fire tax, they are forced to pay extremely high premiums because of this lack of hydrants. We feel there arc
some areas that would benefit greatly by installing these property and life protecting hydrants.
Review of the formula that is being used to fund the out of county departmerts. I must admit L -it
this is a pct peeve of mine because I believe the formula is out of date and does not properly rate the se:,ice
provided to Iredeli County and causes us to overpay for our portion of services they provide. ?s you .know,
the formula is based on ata, not on exposure or risk as i feet it should
A major area of certain cost reductions is in the area of purchasing of at apes of equ pment. Here
we lure 16 departments, all issuing their own. POs for their individual needs. This should h .:nraiiz:d
and standard developed a volume cost negotiated and i blanket order placed to coyer ALL the d:par r.en:s
needs. 71»s should be applicable to not only equipment, but to services and truck purcluses as well Trus
and most of the projects we arc discussing would require the cooperation of die individual je:.arvhhenis
that are represented currently by 5 appointed members of an advisory commune-- that we at.- in :he etc: -ss
of developing.
0%cr die post several yats we have bean losing the life blood of our fire departments. this h:ng
die individuals who volunteer their time and efforts to train, nun our stations and respond to
Thev are the foundation of our fire sen ice and Without thein our fire protection would not exa. It is atvut
time we at least look at some murine: of nonviral recoitrhition to compensate them for not on!: ail tteir!nu
and efforts, but for the actual out of pocket expenses they experience to scree on our fire deav ments Not
only do they have the normal transportation expenses related to trips to tie fire stations for -^:Is. sl.rr i ns
and fire calls, but day have to actually leave their jobs to respond to emergency calls for heim. Trus
recognition is something that is nothing now and has been done in many oche: areas for a long time. It :s
really overdue and would certainly be dollars %"!I spent. We arc receiving a tremendous bargain in the
protection we receive from these volunteers and helping to cove their expenses is a wise investment
These are some of the more major areas that can be addressed that will in some insmnces rcause
additional funding, while several otters will result in decreasing expenses. I assure you that t_':: reduction
alone could effectively utilize any excess fund balance that tray exist. If we can develop mrolpams to
address dhese previously described areas we would be in a much better position next year to prepare a
detailed budget and address the needs of the fire service areas.
Many of these studies, control, and accoumabibucs, should be delegated to current county otiices.
with the Fire Commission and die 5 advisory members of the departments worlahhg on and dee e!opinc
suggestions in many areas. The input of these men and other representatives of the odner dcp: nnitnts
would insure tut we continue the relationship we have developed over the last year.
We have rebuilt die trust dot was lost and the current Fire Commission and our currents assi_ened
County Commissioner have been and will continue to work well with die departments to achieve the
desired resWts in many of these programs.
Lowering die fire tax rate as opposed to investigating and better utilizing die proceeds is not
currently in the best interest of our county. The taxpayer is already receiving a tremendous value, but we
can stilt do a better job. We should adopt some of the ideas we have discussed and then review our
programs and progress next year at this time to determine the level of support dint is needed from die fire
tae Now is die time. There is much we call do, but it requites financial support. it would b: a shame to
make ail important decision before all the avenues were discussed and investigated.
Presented by: Don Parker, Member
Fire Tax District Board