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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 18, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-f <br /> SUBJECT: White Cross Fire Truck Financing and Authorization for the Chair to Execute <br /> Required Documents <br /> DEPARTMENT: Finance <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1) Copy of Public Hearing Notice Gary Donaldson, (919) 245-2453 <br /> 2) White Cross Board Approval <br /> 3) Board Chair Signature Letter <br /> 4) Loan Repayment Schedule <br /> PURPOSE: To: <br /> 1) approve a County verification letter confirming that the White Cross Volunteer Fire <br /> Department (WCVFD) is a qualified volunteer fire department assigned to protect the White <br /> Cross Fire Service District and that an ad valorem fire tax is levied within the district; and <br /> 2) authorize the Board Chair to execute the verification letter and any related, non-substantive <br /> documents required by the lender to complete the financing for a new fire truck for WCVFD. <br /> BACKGROUND: WCVFD has engaged Home Trust Bank to finance the purchase of a new fire <br /> truck in the amount of $970,311 to serve residents of the White Cross Fire Service District. The <br /> district's existing tax levy is sufficient to cover the loan repayment. The loan term is 30 years. <br /> As part of the financing process, the lender requires a letter from Orange County verifying: <br /> 1. WCVFD is a qualified volunteer fire department assigned by the County to provide fire <br /> protection services within Orange County for the White Cross Fire Service District; and <br /> 2. An ad valorem fire service district tax is assessed on real property owners within the district. <br /> As required, WCVFD published a public hearing notice on October 25, 2025, and held a public <br /> hearing at the WVVFD Board meeting on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. <br /> The proposed Board action confirms that the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department is a qualified <br /> volunteer fire department under Treasury Reg. §1.103-16(b) and IRC §150(e) and that ad valorem <br /> fire service district tax revenues support the district. The Board further finds that the public <br /> approval requirements of IRC §147(f) and Treasury Reg. §1.147(f)-1 (public notice and hearing) <br /> have been satisfied for this financing, and, as the applicable governmental unit under IRC <br /> §147(f)(2) (as applied to volunteer fire departments by §147(f)(4)(B)), authorizes the Chair to <br /> execute the verification letter and any related, non-substantive documents." <br />