Minutes 02-19-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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time. He said, a solution needs to be found to those 112 homes and this has been much more difficult than originally thought. He said the original deadline was missed and things were handed over the Fire Chiefs and the staff to come to an agreement and their agreement is the transfer of the property being discussed to Chapel Hill. He said the feedback he has received, said that before the January meeting, the rate was 10 cents. He said they are forgetting 200+ other homeowners that are proposed to get a 15 cent rate without much corresponding reduction in home owner's insurance. He said a problem is being solved with some folks and a problem is being created with others. He said all of the discussion is around planning, police and service provisions of Chapel Hill and this is not part of this discussion; this is about fire provision for this area from the perspective of a service to citizens and what is physically responsible. He questioned jumping to a 15 cent rate is fiscally responsible when there is a possibility of a 10 cent rate. He said he respects Mayor Kleinschmidt, but he does not agree with him. He said this has already been through the Chapel Hill Town Council twice with no solution and he will not object to sending it back for a third time. However, he asked that it be sent it back with a 5 year contract and if Chapel Hill opts out in one or two years to pursue annexation, that is the Town's prerogative, but it is not the Board of County Commissioners' job to propose or advocate for annexation for any town in this county. He said the issue of contracts is a separate issue, except for the three service districts. Chair Jacobs said it is 10:15pm and he said he asked that they defer items 7-c and 8-a. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Rich to defer Items 7-c and 8-a. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Gordon asked Mr. Brinson to have a more detailed report when he brings item 8-a back. The Board returned to item 7-b, and Commissioner Rich said that the goal is to help folks out, but to say there is no other solution to get insurance is unfair because the people could ask to be annexed and the problem would go away. Commissioner Rich asked where the idea of 5 year contracts came from. Michael Talbert said the original contracts back to 1992 were for 5 years with 1 year option out and the Fire Chief's Association asked for a long term agreement on a 5 year contract. Chair Jacobs asked how many fire departments had those contracts with the county. Michael Talbert said there are 12, 10 rural and 2 towns. Commissioner Rich said it is important to engage Chapel Hill one more time and there is time to squeeze it in. She asked if there has been any attempt to talk to the state insurance companies to ask why this is being done. Michael Talbert said it is state law if your home is located more than 6 road miles from the station in your fire district that provides your service, you are considered to have a class 10 rating or be un-insured. He said under 6 miles gives a rating called 9-s, which allows insurance, but at the highest rate. He said this was caused by technology like MapQuest and GIS that allows the insurance companies to get exact mileage. Commissioner Rich said the properties are less than 6 miles from Chapel Hill and Micheal Talbert said Chapel Hill is not the insurance provider or fire district.