Davidson County to hold June 9 hearing on Midway–Gumtree fire district consolidation

Davidson County commissioners on April 3 set a public hearing for June 9 to consider consolidating the Midway and Gumtree fire service districts and associated insurance/response districts, county staff said. County staff told the board the consolidation would be effective July 1, 2025, if approved.

County staff said the move is intended to put the two districts under a single tax rate and a single ISO (insurance) rating, and to align fire district lines so residents are served by the same taxing district. "What we're bringing to you today is a request for a public hearing to be set on June 9 for public hearing of the consolidation of the service districts of Gumtree and Midway Fire Departments," a county staff member told commissioners.

Fire chiefs who spoke said the volunteer organizations have already combined their nonprofit operations and that day‑to‑day response will be run from the Midway station. "We're not going to change the name of the building. It's going to be Gumtree Fire Department forever, but on letterhead... it will be Midway Fire and Rescue Department Incorporated," one chief said. Another chief noted the consolidation would improve coverage and response times for areas near current district boundaries.

County staff described differences in current tax rates and insurance classifications. Staff said Midway is rated Class III and Gumtree is rated Class IV under the State Fire Marshal/insurance classifications; staff said state inspectors will re‑evaluate and that consolidated rating would be applied after inspection. Staff also said Midway's current tax rate is 13% and Gumtree's is 12.75%, and that notices to residents should explain the small change that would result from consolidation.

Commissioners voted by voice vote to set the June 9 public hearing. County staff also flagged a loan on the Gumtree building that would need to be refinanced if the consolidation becomes effective; staff said the loan would become Midway's obligation after consolidation and that the county will coordinate with Pinnacle Bank and provide routine confirmation of the district's revenue source if needed.

The public hearing will be advertised and mailed to affected residents, county staff said. Questions about training, station signage and vehicle paint were raised and answered by the chiefs; staff said no additional trainings are expected immediately, and that trucks and station signage will not be repainted to avoid unnecessary expense.

If the consolidation moves forward after the public hearing, staff said they will amend the contracting and budget documents so Gumtree's tax base and budget roll into Midway's budget for the single district.