Agenda - 05-14-1996 - IX-B - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 ORANGE COUNTY-TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH FIRE ISSUES MAY 9, 1996 1 . Fire Inspections There seemed to be general agreement at the March 13 , 1996 work session that it would be helpful if the County continues to perform mandated fire inspections on behalf of the Town for another year. The Town Manager met subsequently with the County Manager and staff to discuss details associated with continuing the fire inspection program as performed by the County fire marshal ' s office. The County Manager noted his view that if the County continues to perform inspections for the Town, it would be important that the fee schedule for inspections in the County' s and Town' s jurisdictions be identical. A new fee schedule for 1996-97 has been proposed for consideration at the County Commissioners ' May 14 regular meeting. The Town Manager noted that it would take one more year for the Town to be able to accomplish most of its own mandated fire inspections with-a trained and certified fire inspector. The Managers agreed to recommend that the County continue to contract to perform the Town' s fire inspections through June 30, 1997 . However, it was noted that it would take longer than a year for a Hillsborough inspector to become certified to perform Level III fire inspections . The Managers agreed to consider next year an arrangement beyond June 30, 1997 whereunder the County fire marshal would act as mentor for the Hillsborough fire inspector and continue to provide assistance on fire inspections requiring an inspector certified at a higher level . 2 . Paid Firefighters There was also discussion on March 13 about the Town' s consideration, along with the Orange Rural Fire Department, of hiring up to three full-time paid firefighters. The Town Manager' s memos of April 21, 1995, and February 29, 1996 provide extensive background information on this subject. The specific proposal presented to the County Commissioners was that the County consider providing funds to support one half of a full-time firefighter position for 1996-97 . Among the points raised at the March 13 meeting were : possible use of fire district tax proceeds for paid firefighters; possible revenue from Hillsborough fire inspections to help fund a firefighter/inspector position; a possible allocation of sales tax proceeds for capital assistance to Orange Rural; possible use of fees for false alarms; and the implications for all fire districts of County contributions for fire protection for County buildings in one fire district . Since Hillsborough would require another year before undertaking its fire inspections with a Town inspector, use of inspection fee revenue to help fund a firefighter- position is not a viable option for 1996-97 .