Volunteer firefighters plead to maintain current tax rates during county budget session
A passionate public turnout dominated Monday’s Lenoir County budget work session, as volunteer firefighters and community members took the podium to urge commissioners to reconsider proposed reductions in fire tax rates amid rising costs and property revaluations.
The session began with County Manager Michael James outlining the rationale behind the proposed budget, which includes a 17% reduction in the countywide property tax rate—from $0.845 to $0.675 per $100 of assessed value. James emphasized the revaluation’s impact, noting that countywide assessed values increased by nearly 36%, prompting the administration’s effort to balance revenue growth with taxpayer relief.
However, it was the series of public comments from local fire service personnel and supporters that underscored the emotional weight of the proposal.
Jimmy Stroud: “Don’t fight us to take it away”
Jimmy Stroud, a veteran of 44 years with Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire Department, was the first to address the board with an impassioned recounting of the history behind fire tax referenda.
“We went door to door asking for the right to tax ourselves,” he said. “We’re not asking for more than we need. That shack we live in is just as important as that mansion across town.”
Stroud described decades of community fundraising and a now-vanished era when fire trucks cost a fraction of what they do today. “In 1979, our first truck was $49,000. That same truck today is nearly $900,000,” he warned.
Michelle Moore Davis: “They’re dinosaurs — and they’re dying out”
Former emergency dispatcher Michelle Moore Davis described returning early from a beach trip just to speak.
“These girls and guys are dinosaurs,” she said. “They're passionate about their communities. They are giving their time and risking their lives — and now they’re expected to do it on shrinking budgets and rising costs?”
Davis also pointed out the uncertainty around current property values. “Appeals aren’t done. How can departments budget without accurate data? And what happens if equipment fails mid-response because there wasn’t funding for maintenance?”
Craig Jones: Fire Insurance Premiums at Risk
Craig Jones, Southwood Battalion Chief and Treasurer, highlighted the relationship between funding and insurance costs.
“If our ISO rating slips from a 4 to a 9S, my insurance goes up 34%—that’s $1,500 out of pocket,” Jones said. “Compare that to a $70 increase in fire tax. Which would you rather pay?”
He emphasized that departments need fiscal stability now to plan years ahead for equipment replacement, especially with engines taking over a year to arrive after ordering.
Wayne Jackson: “We’re blessed, don’t take that for granted”
Retired teacher and coach Wayne Jackson offered a simple but powerful message: “None of us would reduce our insurance and not cover what we have. So why are we reducing the insurance that protects our homes?”
Jackson shared his own experience trying to sell property undervalued by the market, only to now see it reappraised for $200,000 more. “It’s only worth what someone will pay for it,” he said. “And now we’re asking these same citizens to fund the difference?”
Chief Craig Jarman: “$16,000 won’t last 8 years”
Southwood Fire Chief Craig Jarman outlined the increasing costs of firefighter gear, now topping $20,000 per person, and warned that the proposed fire tax rate change would yield just $16,000 in new revenue.
“That’s supposed to cover us for up to 8 years?” Jarman asked. “Give us a year. Let the dust settle. Then we can talk.”
Final Appeal Read Aloud from a Huge Volunteer Fire and Rescue
In the closing moments of public comment, Assistant Chief Steven Shackleford read a letter on behalf of his chief and the department, stating:
“At this time, the fire department would prefer to maintain a neutral position and retain their current tax rate... This approach will allow us to monitor actual revenue impacts and operational needs... We suggest revisiting this discussion in the following budget cycle when more concrete data is available.”
Looking Ahead
Commissioners did not vote on the proposed changes during the session. County Manager James stated the next work session will address the capital improvement plan and strategic development objectives. Appeals to the property revaluation closed May 7, but the results of those appeals are still being processed. The next Lenoir County Commissioners meeting is Monday, May 19, 2025 at 4:00 pm.
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