HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-30-2019 Item 1 - FY 2019-20 Fire Districts’ Tax Rates ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 30, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 1
SUBJECT: FY 2019-20 Fire Districts' Tax Rates
DEPARTMENT: County Manager and Finance and Administrative Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
A. Fire Districts' Requests for FY2019- Bonnie Hammersley, (919) 245-2300
20 Travis Myren, (919) 245-2308
B. Historical Fire District Tax Rates Paul Laughton, (919) 245-2152
(from FY 2004-05 to FY 2019-20) Gary Donaldson, (919) 245-2453
PURPOSE: To review and discuss the FY 2019-20 fire districts' tax rates, including tax rate
increases recommended for three (3) fire districts.
BACKGROUND: During tonight's work session, Commissioners will have the opportunity to
dialogue with Damascus Fire District and Southern Triangle Fire Service District, as well as
White Cross Fire District who have requested tax rate increases for FY 2019-20. As in the past,
fire districts requesting tax rate increases present their needs for a tax increase to the
Commissioners at a work session. Staff has invited representatives from the departments listed
above to tonight's work session to answer any questions and/or provide additional information
to the Board regarding their increase.
Attachment A provides information regarding tax rate requests from all twelve (12) fire districts
and/or fire service districts in Orange County for FY 2019-20, the amount of funds one cent on
the tax rate generates, fund balance information, as well as information detailing the reasons for
the requested tax rate increases. Information regarding all fire districts is located in the Fire
District section of the FY 2019-20 Manager Recommended Budget beginning on page 261.
Attachment B reflects historical Fire District tax rates dating back to FY 2004-05.
The Fire Districts requesting tax rate increases in FY 2019-20 are as follows:
• Damascus Fire District and Southern Triangle Fire Service District (Page 262) —
increase of .50 cents, going from a current tax rate of 10.30 cents to 10.80 cents, for FY
2019-20. This rate increase is to continue to meet the needs of operations and
replacement of aging apparatus. This rate is consistent with the Chatham County tax
rate.
• White Cross Fire District (Page 266) — increase of 1.00 cents, going from a current tax
rate of 11.37 cents to 12.37 cents, for FY 2019-20. This rate increase will be used to
add staff for 24 hours day/5 days a week coverage. The district is also requesting
$40,000 from their available fund balance to help install a training tower as part of a grant
received.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Included in the Background Section above.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There are no Social Justice Goal impacts associated with this
item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss the above
mentioned fire districts' tax rate increases and give direction to county staff, as appropriate.