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