[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6561674,"mediaKeyId","3288342-f5cc05a8b30abbad3a5dc6c406d1b50c","parentId",3288342,"title","Fire commission backs flat 11.5¢ allocation for contracted departments; commissioners press to finalize contracts before adoption","audioSeconds",537,"startMs",6219000,"endMs",6756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288342-f5cc05a8b30abbad3a5dc6c406d1b50c&start=6219&end=6756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288342-f5cc05a8b30abbad3a5dc6c406d1b50c/thumbnail_6219000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561674/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Fire-commission-backs-flat-115-allocation-for-contracted-departments-commissioners-press-to-finalize-contracts-before-adoption","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561674-19c2a9519fef0be336f6c39dec6c2526/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197560&Signature=jWaPbgPlI9h43Gx5Ke-uoTiNrHssPjazY~mj1CQbrSk8kHyC8MqFdQWrE6WP9Flmi7BKn7J3JZckIYpAT8aWJxwrfWuENIE1CCvk25v1l5eY~LZ9LVx1YCEBoN5BxfFjSzQBzULCUJ2NyUupREyhAmfMuZvHewken4AFMexwnBGv-Bz-E-qYE-uvAH-T0KdNpf1UTrJMlYt4hBnpb0cwKpY5p5r9VWeREFxA-bNlvW-SjqIL72lA-pzbxoa~dVQ2LVhtO~CwGEuiBfWAWfHxZjsowuJcHfZoVTGSbfTDLfK~AXhONo3E~rQ1bYmZ2AtH2F4KY~2ab-gAh5oUa~NDwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gaston County, NC","date","2025-05-13T16:09:06Z","article","GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — The Gaston County Fire Commission on May 13 recommended that contracted fire departments receive a flat allocation equal to the existing 11.5¢ fire tax. The recommendation came as department leaders and county officials described how the tax supports personnel, equipment replacement and improved response times.

“We're recommending that the contracted fire departments receive a flat budget allocation of 11 and a half percent consistent with the rate approved in the previous years,” Robert Smith, chairman of the Gaston County Fire Commission, said during the work session.

Joshua Brown, president of the Gaston County Firefighters Association, told commissioners the 11.5¢ rate funds 17 unincorporated fire departments and credited it with improving turnout and response times. Brown said the county's contracted departments responded to 9,384 emergency incidents in 2024 across roughly 261 square miles, and he urged the board to maintain the current fire tax to ensure staffing and equipment needs are met.

Commissioners and fire officials discussed differences in department allocations, which reflect call volume, district size and capital needs. Smith and others noted many departments carry long‑term debt for vehicles — new fire engines commonly cost about $1 million and have multi‑year lead times — and that capital needs drive differences in line items across department budgets.

Commissioner Tom Kiger (board liaison) and others cited measurable benefits, saying added staffing reduced response times from around eight minutes to roughly two‑and‑a‑half to three‑and‑a‑half minutes in some areas, and that insurance‑rating improvements can lower homeowner costs.

County staff and volunteer chiefs remain in negotiations over contract language. Vincent (county staff) told the board the county is “working through that process” and described outstanding issues such as whether property associated with a department would revert to the county if a department dissolved and the need to agree on performance measures. Smith said volunteer chiefs have designated a spokesperson and attorney to participate in talks.

Commissioners pressed for urgency: one commissioner said finalized contracts must be ready “by the 23rd” ahead of the board's budget actions scheduled for May 27, and called on staff and chiefs to meet daily if necessary.

County staff said they will continue negotiating language and expect to present final agreements for the board’s consideration. The fire commission also recommended placing leftover dollars into a capital fund balance for the departments rather than using one‑time reserves to balance ongoing budgets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gaston County Board of Commissioners May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — The Gaston County Fire Commission recommended maintaining a flat 11.5¢ allocation for contracted fire departments at the Board of Commissioners' May 13 work session and officials urged swift completion of department contracts ahead of the budget vote.","taxTitle","Gaston County, North Carolina","taxId",4853,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561679,"Gaston County manager proposes FY2026 budget with flat tax rate, absorbs $31 million in cost increases",1720,4569000,6289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288342-f5cc05a8b30abbad3a5dc6c406d1b50c&start=4569&end=6289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288342-f5cc05a8b30abbad3a5dc6c406d1b50c/thumbnail_4569000.jpg","/articles/6561679/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Gaston-County-manager-proposes-FY2026-budget-with-flat-tax-rate-absorbs-31-million-in-cost-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561679-c30ef4409665f8a75b5c7283a5c49bd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197560&Signature=alnFcP8xe8mC12w6OFRKwR9zwVhaltsqIEFFzhv7MY2WJKLxQ90kLg0cGxLcAj3xWmWbrhfzvoARV8rfc-V~pI9qQ8jas961TxTpeUCPMdkzvgSfFlgImZKFSuB8N8znCDpFa6k9uNxOD8KcIHbumqDntWDSuv9QLAgghnQPT-CTN5b5~ofmOUnN8PTVqV53lqiAQFON8GoMKguFXNHWik5S7lioDm3xYY-J3-ITVEmv~S45HDh3DfFh7tUb~tcO0~0ZT7rvROCy~uGs0nzO9eIAqr7U3yLJzwh093fHzvJJaiUM3pjNPCoQdsoou7lY8uxY1K9QoixejaTBg2xpWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Gaston County Manager Matthew Roten on May 13 presented a recommended fiscal year 2026 budget that holds the county tax rate at 59.9 cents per $100 of assessed value, proposes no appropriation of general‑fund balance and absorbs more than $31 million in increased expenses through cuts and reallocations.

Roten told the Board of Commissioners the proposal is intended to prioritize core services and board objectives while restoring fiscal stability after several years of tighter margins. “I’m recommending a tax rate of 59.9¢ per hundred dollars of assessed value,” Roten said during the work session.

Roten said the recommended general fund is flat compared with the prior year and that the budget absorbs $31 million in expense increases, including roughly $16.2 million for new school debt tied to recently issued general obligation bonds, mandatory retirement contribution increases, health care cost growth and other unavoidable costs. The proposal includes $698,000 in recommended new positions and allocates $500,000 additional for teacher supplements and $250,000 for Gaston College.

The manager reported the county’s unassigned fund balance rose to 18% after the FY2024 audit, placing the county within its policy target range of 15–20% for the first time in a decade. Roten said staff also implemented cost‑saving measures since he took office in August that he estimated have produced the equivalent of a two‑cent tax reduction, about $6.6 million, through renegotiated contracts, fee reviews, vacancy management and process improvements.

Roten and staff described a notable decline in sales‑and‑use tax receipts that informed the budget. The proposed budget assumes a 9% drop in sales tax across all funds due to unrealized revenues in FY2025 and a shift in the distribution formula tied to differences between county and municipal tax levies. “When we lowered our tax rate and municipalities kept or raised theirs, the county’s share of sales tax decreased,” Roten said, summarizing the mechanics behind the revenue change.

The recommended capital program totals about $55 million across funds, the manager said, including roughly $36 million for school debt and capital, $11 million for county debt service and about $5.5 million for solid‑waste enterprise fund investments. Roten noted limited capacity for new capital until larger debt drops off in the coming years.

Commissioners asked questions after the presentation. Commissioner Scott Sheehan praised the staff’s work and said the board had been “very collaborative,” adding he was “very proud” of the product. Several commissioners emphasized the importance of long‑term planning around the county’s changing revenue mix.

Roten reminded the board and public that the recommended budget will be available for public review and that a public hearing and scheduled adoption are set for May 27. He also said staff would continue monitoring revenues and implementing process improvements after adoption.

The meeting proceeded to other agenda items; later in the session the board voted to go into closed session under a cited statute and then returned to open session without taking action.","County Manager Matthew Roten presented a recommended FY2026 budget keeping the tax rate at 59.9¢, using no general‑fund balance, absorbing more than $31 million in increased expenses and scheduling a public hearing and adoption on May 27.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561669,"Speakers urge Gaston County to continue funding Hope United survivor services, calling domestic violence a 'code red' priority",674,3164000,3838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288342-f5cc05a8b30abbad3a5dc6c406d1b50c&start=3164&end=3838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288342-f5cc05a8b30abbad3a5dc6c406d1b50c/thumbnail_3164000.jpg","/articles/6561669/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Speakers-urge-Gaston-County-to-continue-funding-Hope-United-survivor-services-calling-domestic-violence-a-code-red-priority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561669-cb701ad91097506d47511696f8dc95f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197560&Signature=HVr7qH3JACPWbeZrBHJnMRMp1~U5JJUwMBnMBib2MaeAMGvsQ~s9qJ61pNlEpz0z-fCcQKbV54M-fgbHiHia6qnXEg0Tv8h2e6ifjdkWhnaHpP7OtMyJTDEd7VdRZay7tcZ07j4PGWI4fF-13s3x0BU3qHJzs86dckETHrL5rGAAjCC-aBN71ta9SQTStDzBupquIY2gwYfSDIWpWy3B4WYeHCz3LLg4E1YBbsWPFuW~MK~fRVS3qWG8c2S-rEs6ONfAEA6DnKhgzY87-ufu2vOPsSGmzwHXE3AfB6Myr5Wo-5khWVX0rbcDsN1og601mFmxBQ8nb3Cw68xPCN0n~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Multiple public commenters at the Gaston County Board of Commissioners' May 13 work session urged the board to continue county funding for Hope United Survivor Network, a local organization that provides crisis intervention, shelter, court accompaniment and coordinated services for survivors of domestic violence.

Jesse B. Caldwell III, who identified himself as having worked 52 years as a lawyer and a superior court judge and who said he has lived in Gaston County for 75 years, urged commissioners to preserve financial support for the organization. Caldwell described domestic violence as “insidious” and said sustaining services for survivors is a priority for public safety and community stability. “May I respectfully submit … that in trying to fight domestic violence in Gaston County, this is a high priority need. This is a code red priority need,” Caldwell said.

Caitlin Caldwell, who also spoke in favor of maintaining support for Hope United, framed domestic violence as a public‑safety issue and cited research she said links domestic violence history to mass‑shooter behavior. She described local programming coordinated by Hope United: a danger‑assessment tool used in high‑risk cases, a high‑risk fatality prevention task force that coordinates law enforcement and prosecutors, court accompaniment and services aimed at helping survivors achieve independence from abusers. “Without Hope United, the ability to prevent fatalities and hold offenders accountable is diminished,” she said, urging the commissioners to consider Hope United a key budget priority.

Speakers emphasized prevention and the long‑term economic argument for funding: Caitlin Caldwell said a single homicide’s public cost — including criminal‑justice and incarceration expenses — can exceed the organization’s annual budget. Both speakers asked the board to weigh prevention benefits against potential future costs to the justice and health systems.

The board accepted the public comments; no vote or formal response about Hope United funding was recorded during the May 13 work session. The county manager presented a recommended FY2026 budget at the same meeting; the board will hold a public hearing and is scheduled to consider adoption of that budget on May 27, when funding decisions would be finalized.","At the May 13 work session, speakers including retired judge Jesse B. Caldwell III and advocate Caitlin Caldwell urged commissioners to maintain county funding for Hope United Survivor Network, emphasizing its role in preventing fatalities, supporting prosecutions and reducing long‑term costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fire commission backs flat 11.5¢ allocation for contracted departments; commissioners press to finalize contracts before adoption

Gaston County manager proposes FY2026 budget with flat tax rate, absorbs $31 million in cost increases

Speakers urge Gaston County to continue funding Hope United survivor services, calling domestic violence a 'code red' priority