Minutes 02-19-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• On December 4, 2012 the Carrboro Board of Alderman Town voted to approve a resolution to modify the existing South Orange Fire Insurance District. The revised South Orange Insurance District will not include the donut hole in gray on Attachment 2 and the Town will continue to contract to provide fire protection to the proposed new Fire Insurance District (see Attachment 3), with a new fire tax rate of 10 cents per $100 of real and person property value. • On January 14, 2013 the Chapel Hill Town Council voted unanimously not to provide Fire Protection for a proposed Greater Chapel Hill Fire Service and requested Orange County Government's Assistance in encouraging the residents of the proposed Chapel Hill Fire Service District to seek annexation into the Town of Chapel Hill. • On February 11, 2013 the Chapel Hill Town Council again considered the County petition to the Town to consider modifications to the existing Greater Chapel Hill Fire Insurance District as discussed in the background. Several members of the Town Council still consider annexation as the preferred method of providing fire protection and all other Town services to these residents. There was discussion about the 15 cent rate being the maximum rate allowed and Town Council discussed how the tax rate could be increased. The Chapel Hill Town Council voted unanimously to enter into a service agreement to extend the Town's current fire district into the affected neighborhoods for a period of two years and initiate conversations with the County about how the changes in annexation laws affect the rational planning model established within Orange County. Listed below are actions need to be taken before three (3) new Fire Service Districts can be created and included in the County's Fiscal 2013/2014 annual budget. • Approval by the Orange County Board of Commissioners after holding a public hearing on April 9, 2013. Attachment 14 lists the detailed procedures for notifying property owners prior to conducting a public hearing. • Approval by the North Chatham Fire Department Board of Directors • Approval by the State Fire Marshal's Office • Approval of new Fire Protection and Emergency Services Agreements before July 1, 2013 for the three (3) new Fire Service Districts Michael Talbert said if this moves forward, it will take 4-6 weeks to get to a public hearing and a letters will have to be sent to all parcel owners in the three fire districts outlining plans with maps provided. He said this will be about 6,000 letters mailed out 4 weeks prior to a public hearing. Michael Talbert said if this goes forward, then the Board of County Commissioners could approve the creation of the new districts. He noted that this would also have to be approved by the North Chatham Fire Department and the information would be sent to the State Fire Marshall's office, with an eventual move toward a new fire protection and emergency services agreements with the three providers. Michael Talbert again reviewed the three recommendations stated earlier. Commissioner Dorosin asked for clarification on the one year opt out and asked if the opt out was possible only in the first year or anytime each year. Michael Talbert said the option is available at the beginning of each fiscal year and notice would have to be given prior to June 30. Commissioner Gordon said that Orange County has opted out by cancelling the existing service contracts for these three areas. She said the contracts will run until June 30, 2013 and then they must be renegotiated and signed to go into effect July 1.