Agenda - 03-24-2003 - 8l - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

from residents located in the northern portion of the district. This area includes the northeast sections of Pleasant Green Road, St. Mary's Road and secondary roads that intersect with these roads. According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI), property located five road miles or less from a fire station is considered to be in a "Class 9" insurance rate code for fire insurance premiums while property located more than five road miles from a fire station is considered to be in a "Class 10" insurance rate code. A survey of insurance companies indicates that ahomeowner/renter in a "Class 9" rate code might expect to pay approximately 20 percent less in property insurance premiums than a resident located in a "Class 10" rate code. The attached map outlines afive-road mile radius for both the existing fire station as well as the proposed one. After the second fire station is constructed and equipped, NCDOI will inspect and approve that station. Upon approval, that station will extend the boundaries of the insurance district, which will place all of the residents of that area within the five-mile insurance district. Now that the Department has purchased land, the Board hopes to move forward with constructing and equipping Eno Fire Department Station #2 over the next two to three years. While plans are in the conceptual phase at this point, preliminary plans include construction of a three or four bay station to house two vehicles. Due to the infancy of the plans, cost estimates are not yet available. There is potential for the department to apply for Federal grants and low interest Federal loans to offset some portion of the total cost of construction and equipment. Upon completion of the new fire station, there will be a need to equip the new facility. NCDOI requires a minimum of one pumper truck and one tanker per station. Eno currently has three trucks in operation. Once the station is operational, the Department plans to purchase one additional truck and equipment (approximate cost of $300,000) to bring the total available trucks to four and locate two vehicles at each station. Again, there is potential for the Department to apply for grants and loans to offset costs of the equipment purchase. As the Department moves forward with purchasing equipment, County staff, to the extent practicable, will. offer assistance in the bid and procurement process. It is clear that, in order to construct and equip the new station, the Board of Directors foresees a future tax rate increase for property owners in the District. Due to the fact that plans are conceptual at this point, it is difficult to anticipate what that increase may be. As additional information becomes available and plans more concrete, staff will update the Board. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Financial impacts are included in the background information above. RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board of County Commissioners appropriate $32,621 in County held fund balance for the Eno Fire Department.