Minutes 06-11-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Paul Laughton said representatives are here to answer questions or explain requests for tax increases. Commissioner Gordon asked if North Chatham had approved the fire service district agreement. John Strowd said the Board has approved two contracts as of last night, the Southern Triangle, and the Damascus draft agreement. Commissioner Gordon thanked them for their cooperation. Chair Jacobs noted that Commissioner Price will be late due to a conflict. Commissioner Dorosin said, in considering the variety of potential tax changes, it would be helpful for him to see what the total tax impacts will be to each person in these districts. Frank Clifton said staff can probably give a list by area, but the key will be the county tax rates overall. He said the school districts will be more complicated. Commissioner Dorosin said he does not want to make things overcomplicated, but he would like a sense of the overall impact. Frank Clifton noted that none of the fire districts are within the towns. He said a chart could be compiled to total out the increases based on what the Board decides to do. Commissioner McKee said some of these increases for the departments outside of Chapel Hill were driven by efforts to reduce ISO ratings. Commissioner Dorosin asked to what extent these terms have been agreed to as part of the process of creating those districts. He asked if the Board is bound by contract, or is in the process of negotiation. Commissioner McKee said he feels that, regardless of the letter of the law, the Board is honor bound to adhere to the negotiations with Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and North Chatham, for the change in the Southern Triangle area. He noted that he had reservations about the 15 cents. Commissioner Dorosin said this was his sense of the issue. Michael Talbert said both White Cross and Orange Grove are moving forward with stations. He said the contracts approved for the three new districts set a tax rate, not to exceed 15 cents. He said the wording in the contract allows the Board to re-set this amount each year. Chair Jacobs said the Board has asked for several years about reducing ISO ratings, and it is encouraging that the fire departments are working on this by adding extra stations. Commissioner Gordon said she wanted to thank the departments for their service as public safety officers. Cedar Grove Fire District$204,527 ❑ The tax rate for this district is recommended to remain at 7.36 cents for FY 2013-14. In FY 2012-13, the department is in the process of working with the contractor and Orange County Planning Department on the addition to Station #2 to include a training room, kitchen and new office. The department has also installed additional dry hydrants, purchased equipment that is needed on their trucks for ISO, and plans to lower their insurance rating in the near future. ❑ In FY 2013-14, the department plans to complete the addition to Station #2; the department has been saving for the last few years for this addition with the hopes to have a large portion of the building paid for, continue to work on lowering the district's insurance rating, and continue to train firefighters for level I & II certifications. ❑ Their Five-Year plan includes working on replacing a 1986 model brush truck and a 1985 squad truck, work towards setting aside funds to replace the engine at Station #2; their goal is to keep engines and tankers on a rotation that will not allow them to be more than 20 years old before replacing them, and add two part-time staff during peak daytime hours.