The Vance County Commissioners met Monday night but the proposed budget was not adopted. Preparing a budget – whether for a county or any other organization, is sort of like making sausage…nobody wants to see it being made, but they all want to enjoy the end result.
The annual budget adoption process requires having a public hearing before the budget is approved, but not a single person addressed the board specifically about the budget last night.
And no member of the Vance County board of commissioners made a motion to adopt the budget.
Rather, it appears that the budget adoption is being held up by additional discussion that will take place tomorrow, June 7, at 4 p.m. during a meeting of the county’s Public Safety Committee.
Commissioner Dan Brummitt told WIZS News Tuesday that he hoped people interested in this topic will attend tomorrow’s meeting to learn more about plans for the fire tax rates and plans to restructure/redistrict fire departments across the county – this seems to be a sticking point in the passage of the 2023-24 budget.
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The issue of fire departments has long been a topic of discussion within the county – and Brummitt said there’s a “wildfire of misinformation” swirling about with regard to consolidation of departments, as well as getting more paid staff in place to bolster the largely volunteer organizations.
There’s talk of merging the county fire department and dissolving the Golden Belt district, but Brummitt said misinformation within the community is fueling unfounded rumors.
“I’ve talked to people in professional fire services, fire professionals throughout the region, “ Brummitt said in a telephone interview. “There’s merit in what we’re trying to do.” And, Brummitt contends, there are many options to consider.
Just what that is, however, remains to be seen. Brummitt said a written plan is not ready to be released to the public, but he said he hoped to have some details and accompanying budget figures at tomorrow’s meeting.
The commissioners will reconvene at 4 p.m. on June 14 in a special called meeting to consider any additional recommendations that come from the Public Safety Committee and could possibly adopt the budget at that time.
Commissioners have until June 30 to approve the 2023-24 budget, which currently is at $57.5 million.
If the proposed budget is adopted without changes, improvements to the county’s fire tax fund would help provide 24/5 coverage in the north and south of the county – that is, two additional full-time employees at both the Hicksboro and the Bearpond fire departments.
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