In “The Local Skinny!” audio podcast listed below, please find calls and emails with items for sale plus Wayne Rowland’s Vance Co. Cooperative Extension Report for Monday, March 15.
“The Local Skinny!” news topic planned for the day today was actually presented as the second segment of TownTalk today and pertained to Vance County Fire Reorganization. The script used was from the today’s (Monday, March 15) Vance County public safety committee meeting agenda packet.
One goal of the Vance County Commissioners, as set in an earlier retreat, is to bring closure to the fire reorganization discussion. The committee members are Commissioner Brummitt, Commissioner Faines, and Commissioner Wilder.
And, TownTalk on Tuesday, March 16 (tomorrow) will feature Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen with information from the meeting.
To catch up to the present, you can read the script below. The audio link here (or click the TownTalk logo to the right) has the script and some analysis as well.
Re-evaluation of Fire Reorganization
Committee Summary from August 2020 – Last Discussion on Fire Reorganization
In February 2019 the board voted to continue the Goldenbelt fire district in its current structure. During the retreat in January 2020, a commissioner brought up the fire reorganization plan and the board asked the committee to review the plan. At its June 30, and July 21, 2020 meetings, the committee reviewed and discussed organizational charts and an updated financial analysis associated with the reorganization plan. At its July 21, 2020 meeting the committee reviewed the updated financial analysis as prepared by county finance staff. The analysis indicates the plan would create an initial savings of $281,791 on the general fund while creating a $206,136 deficit on the fire tax fund which would require a 1.2 cent fire tax increase. The finance director discussed concerns with transferring monies from the general fund to the fire fund to cover the deficit and mentioned state law within the budget and fiscal control act that prevents paying for a service fund deficit with general fund monies. Committee members mentioned management, HR, and potential legal concerns with the plan having county fire employees report to county policies while also being subject to non-county operational policies with the employees physically being located in a volunteer station and operating volunteer department equipment. The committee then reviewed input from the Fire Association indicating that the fire association members had too many questions and concerns with the proposal to support its passage. As requested by the board, the committee has reviewed the plan and based upon input gathered and concerns raised, the committee recommended (2-1 vote) not proceeding with further conversations on the reorganization plan. For Your Information.
Board Actions related to Fire Reorganization
- February 4, 2019 – Added part-time positions to the Volunteer Fire Departments and
voted to continue Golden Belt in its current structure - August 3, 2020 – To not follow the committee’s recommendation to cease discussions on
fire reorganization; and to continue further conversations as to the reorganization plan. - March 1, 2021 – Board adopted goals for FY22 which included to bring closure to the
fire reorganization discussion.
