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County considers 24/7 firefighter staffing and fire service areas to finance apparatus purchases
Summary
Lancaster County flagged requests from the volunteer fire commission for expanded 24/7 staffing and roughly $17 million in new apparatus; officials discussed creating fire service areas (special taxing districts) or rooftop/fee options to fund staffing and capital without exceeding county debt limits.
County staff told the intergovernmental meeting that volunteer fire districts are requesting more full-time firefighter coverage and substantial capital purchases, and that the county is considering fire service areas as a funding vehicle.
County officials said the fire commission has requested 24/7 staffing at McDonough Green and other locations and seeks about $17 million for new fire apparatus. The county currently funds three firefighter positions for the City of Lancaster and operates 15 county-employed roving firefighters who work weekdays across the county; requesters want expanded round-the-clock coverage in some districts to support volunteers.
Deputy county staff explained that South Carolina law allows creation of fire service areas (FSAs) or special-purpose districts that can levy fees or millage within defined boundaries to support operating and/or capital costs. County staff described the Indian Land consolidated fire district as an example where a rooftop fee and per-square-foot charges generate revenue for 24/7 staffing in that district. Creating a countywide FSA for capital could keep apparatus debt off the county's general capital debt limit, county staff said.
City officials and the city finance director raised questions about how any fire service area would treat city residents, noting that if the county establishes an FSA for the southern county the city might be excluded from county fee assessments because the city already provides fire service within its limits. County staff said such treatment would depend on the boundaries and funding design; the city would need to decide how to participate in capital funding if a district is created.
Officials emphasized long lead times for apparatus procurement and that consolidated planning will be necessary if the county pursues new staffing and capital. No formal decisions were made; county staff indicated this is a funding model they will present to county council for further consideration.
