Agenda - 03-13-2012 - 8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT Attachment 4 21 Orange County, North Carolina Emergency Services Workgroup Meeting Summary February 14, 2012 Link Government Services Center Commissioner Valerie Foushee called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm, welcomed the committee, and asked those in attendance to introduce themselves: Dr. lane Brice, Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass, Chief Dwane Hampton, Captain Walter Horton, Assistant County Manager Michael Talbert, Chief Frank Montes de Oca, Chief Dan Jones, Chief Tommy Holmes, Chief Mike Tapp, Chief Brian Baker, Chief Matthew Mauzy, and Ms. Jane Cousins. • Commissioner Foushee introduced the first topic of discussion: Fire Tax Districts, Protection Districts, Fire Insurance Districts and Fire Service Districts. Assistant County Manager Michael Talbert distributed maps showing how the geographic areas differ legally and in operational characteristics. He explained that because of the history of how the tax districts were created they are extremely difficult to change. Fire Service Districts could be changed relatively easily with the consent of the Fire Chiefs. The service responses to properties would not change because of mutual aid agreements which already exist. Changes in the boundaries of the Service Districts would bring about a decrease in insurance rates for those property owners who are presently negatively affected by their location of being outside the "six mile" insurance area. An example cited was how Eno Fire Department could provide service for properties in Caldwell's district and decrease the insurance rates for a number of homes within six miles of Eno's station. The Orange County Attorney is working on the final agreement between the departments and Orange County to improve insurance ratings in that particular area. • Assistant County Manager Talbert illustrated a possible solution to high insurance rates in parts of South Orange's district by contracting with Chapel Hill Fire Department. Changes in charges of the fire tax to some residents could be a concern because of an increase of possibly $.0025 to some residents, but the benefit to those citizens whose properties are now uninsurable would make a dramatic improvement. • Chief Hampton asked about downsides to any of the proposed changes. Chief Baker expressed concern that with these changes the fire department chiefs would lose control of their districts; something the fire chiefs want to prevent from happening.