Agenda - 09-05-2017 - 8-a - Minutes

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2 1 — One cent increase for land acquisition and initial construction 2 funds for Station #2 and replacement fire engine 3 — Station #2 provides more residents with six mile proximity for fire 4 station to qualify for lower insurance premiums 5 o Orange Rural 6 — One cent increase for personnel related costs 7 — Add three personnel; train on swift water, trench, and structural 8 collapse rescue 9 — CIP includes County contribution to colocation of new fire station 10 with Emergency Medical Services at Waterstone 11 o White Cross Fire District (Page 360) — 12 — increase of 1.00 cents, going from a revenue neutral tax rate of 13 10.37 cents to 11.37 cents, for FY 2017-18. 14 — The existing tax rate is 11.00 cents. This tax rate increase will be 15 used to help offset the cost of replacement of a 30 year old 16 pumper/tanker, equipment replacement, increased member 17 training, and continue their capital outlay program. 18 19 Commissioner Rich asked if there is a process to inform residents of a fire district tax 20 increase. 21 Chiefs said social media is used, word of mouth, community bulletin boards, websites, 22 etc. 23 Commissioner Price asked if all of the older fire trucks will be replaced at some time. 24 Jeff Cabe, Orange Rural Chief, said they have no replacement schedule and have 25 internal technicians for truck maintenance. 26 Chief Hayes, Eno Fire Department, said their truck needs replacing. 27 Brad Allison, Caldwell Chief, said their front line engine is in need of replacing. 28 Commissioner Price said she is concerned about the older trucks and the safety of the 29 firefighters. 30 Commissioner McKee said when he was on the Caldwell Fire Department Board there 31 was a truck rotation plan, with a replacement schedule that was staggered over time. 32 Chair Dorosin referred to the White Cross district tax increase, and asked if staff will be 33 added. 34 Philip Nasseri, White Cross Fire Chief, said the additional funding will add another full 35 time staff person during the day. 36 Chair Dorosin asked if this would be firefighting or administrative staff. 37 Philip Nasseri said it would be firefighting/EMS staff. 38 Chair Dorosin asked if other departments have paid staff. 39 Jeff Cabe said the tax increase will help to hire paid staff. 40 Chair Dorosin asked if the percentage of paid staff could be identified. 41 Jeff Cabe said 66% is paid, and the rest are volunteers. 42 John Stroud, North Chatham Fire Department, said his department is at similar 43 percentages and are seeking to add staff. 44 Chief Hayes said there are three part-time workers present on Monday through Friday 45 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and two part time workers on the weekends for the same hours. 46 Jimmy Lambert, Cedar Grove Fire Chief, said the department is currently all volunteers, 47 but is in the process of hiring its first part-time paid employee, who will work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 48 p.m., Monday to Friday. 49 Phillip Nasseri said White Cross has about 6-8 part-timers, and about 33 volunteers. 50 Brad Allison said Caldwell is strictly volunteer-run with about 42 volunteers at this time.