Greenville committee approves millage increase request for Caesars Head service area
June 23, 2025 | Greenville County, South Carolina
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The Greenville County Finance Committee approved a request from Cedar Mountain Volunteer Fire Rescue to increase the millage rate assessed on the Caesars Head Fire Service area to support expanded staffing and equipment costs.
Jimmy Jones, president of Cedar Mountain Volunteer Fire Rescue Incorporated, told the committee the department serves parts of Greenville County that fall within its five-mile jurisdiction despite the department being organized as a North Carolina nonprofit that also serves Transylvania County, North Carolina. “We are being affected by the same… economy. Costs of just about everything are steadily increasing,” Jones said, adding that the department currently has one paid firefighter who covers four days a week and that a new fire engine ordered more than three years ago costs just over $700,000.
Jones noted Caesars Head State Park comprises roughly one-third of the district and that the department responds to backcountry rescues for hikers without receiving state park funding. He said the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners was voting that night on budget items that would fund a new engine and 24/7 staffing on the North Carolina side.
Councilor Russo said residents of Caesars Head and surrounding mountain communities have been strongly supportive of Cedar Mountain and described the geography as “a tough area to respond to.” Councilor Farmer asked what upgrades the millage revenue would fund; Jones said the primary use would be to staff a firefighter 24 hours a day and to help pay for the new engine. Councilor Collins said the department’s prior budget showed conservative planning and expressed support.
A motion to approve the millage increase was made and the committee approved it by voice vote. The committee did not record an itemized roll-call vote in the meeting record provided.
The committee’s action authorizes Greenville County to proceed with the millage change for the Caesars Head Fire Service area; the transcript does not specify an effective date for the adjusted rate or the exact millage amount.
Jimmy Jones, president of Cedar Mountain Volunteer Fire Rescue Incorporated, told the committee the department serves parts of Greenville County that fall within its five-mile jurisdiction despite the department being organized as a North Carolina nonprofit that also serves Transylvania County, North Carolina. “We are being affected by the same… economy. Costs of just about everything are steadily increasing,” Jones said, adding that the department currently has one paid firefighter who covers four days a week and that a new fire engine ordered more than three years ago costs just over $700,000.
Jones noted Caesars Head State Park comprises roughly one-third of the district and that the department responds to backcountry rescues for hikers without receiving state park funding. He said the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners was voting that night on budget items that would fund a new engine and 24/7 staffing on the North Carolina side.
Councilor Russo said residents of Caesars Head and surrounding mountain communities have been strongly supportive of Cedar Mountain and described the geography as “a tough area to respond to.” Councilor Farmer asked what upgrades the millage revenue would fund; Jones said the primary use would be to staff a firefighter 24 hours a day and to help pay for the new engine. Councilor Collins said the department’s prior budget showed conservative planning and expressed support.
A motion to approve the millage increase was made and the committee approved it by voice vote. The committee did not record an itemized roll-call vote in the meeting record provided.
The committee’s action authorizes Greenville County to proceed with the millage change for the Caesars Head Fire Service area; the transcript does not specify an effective date for the adjusted rate or the exact millage amount.
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