News

All but one VFD seek higher fire tax

By Bill Moss, Published: April 30, 2015

All but one of Henderson County’s volunteer fire departments are requesting a property tax increase for the budget year starting July 1, with many of them citing the need to replace aging equipment and hire personnel.The departments submitted their budgets and proposed tax rates to emergency management director Rocky Hyder this month. The requests go the Fire and Rescue Advisory Committee and then to the Board of Commissioners, which has the final say on the rate. The only department not requesting an increase is Gerton, which at its current rate of 12½ cents per $100 valuation would still have the highest fire tax.
“The rate sometimes changes as part of the FRAC meeting,” Hyder said. “We did tell them to try to develop a four-year budget plan that coincides with the reappraisal process like the Board of Commissioners does.”
The volunteer fire departments provide coverage countywide outside of Hendersonville.
“We’ve already met with them,” said Laurel Park Mayor Carey O’Cain, whose town contracts with Valley Hill Fire & Rescue. “They’ve already told us what they anticipate their rate to be. The only other one that’s cheaper is Mills River. It doesn’t make it right but that at least it makes us feel a little better.”
When the Mills River Town Council talked about the volunteer fire department’s proposed 1½-cent increase, Councilman Wayne Carland noted that the town collects the fire tax and residents don’t generally distinguish between the fire tax and town tax.
“These five right up here are going to take the heat,” he said.
Flat Rock Mayor Bob Staton said he was concerned that all three departments covering the village are seeking tax increases. Departments serving Flat Rock are Blue Ridge, Valley Hill and Green River.
The fire departments, their requested increase and new rate per $100 valuation (if approved):
• Bat Cave, up 2 cents, to 12 cents per $100 valuation.
• Blue Ridge, 2½ cents, 12 cents.
• Dana, 2 cents, 13 cents.
• Edneyville, 1 cent, 10½ cents.
• Etowah-Horse Shoe, 1 cent, 10½ cents.
• Fletcher, 1½ cents, 11½ cents.
• Gerton, no change, 12½ cents.
• Green River, 1 cent, 8 cents.
• Mills River, 1½ cents, 9 cents.
• Mountain Home, 1½ cents, 12 cents.
• Saluda, 1½ cents, 10 cents.
• Valley Hill, 1 cent, 9½ cents.
• Valley Hill II, 1 cent, 9½ cents.