Board approves inclusion of Lattimore Volunteer Fire Department into county service district

Cleveland County commissioners approved a resolution to include the Lattimore Volunteer Fire Department (Number 7) in the countywide fire service tax district after a public hearing and submission of supporting town resolutions.

Perry Davis, presenting to the board, said the Lattimore department was created under state law and that annexations and loss of tax base have reduced its revenue to the point the department cannot sustain prior operations. He said joining the Cleveland County service tax district provides a sustainable funding model and would allow the department to add paid staffing it cannot currently afford.

Davis told the board the service district was established decades ago under state law and that municipalities served by a fire department must adopt resolutions supporting the change. He said the towns of Lattimore, Kingston, and Mooresboro submitted resolutions dated June 9 supporting inclusion. Davis cited North Carolina General Statute Chapter 69 and specifically noted the requirement found at North Carolina General Statute 69-25.11 that the county commission hold a public hearing and approve county fire district boundaries.

Alton Beal, mayor of Lattimore and chairman of the Number 7 fire department board, spoke during the public hearing and thanked commissioners for considering the inclusion. "It'll enable the department to have more staffing, throughout the week," Beal said, adding that improved staffing should lead to better response times on the western side of the county. He described the loss of industrial tax base to annexation as a key factor reducing local funding for the department over the past 20 years.

Board members asked questions about district requirements and staffing standards. Davis said departments in the service district are contractually required to staff a minimum of 20 hours per day and that joining the district would not require raising the countywide tax rate beyond existing countywide levels; rather, it pools funding via the service district to sustain staffing.

A commissioner moved to approve inclusion and adopt the accompanying resolution; another commissioner seconded. After no further discussion, the board voted by voice and approved the motion. The authorization adds Lattimore to the Cleveland County service tax district and allows the county to proceed with contractual and boundary updates required under state statute.

County staff said the board must sign the resolution if it chooses to approve the inclusion; the board approved the resolution at the meeting.