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Franklin City Council adopts volunteer firefighter/EMS tax exemption and approves several grants and budget amendments
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance to exempt personal property for qualified volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel (estimated annual cost ~$8,000), accepted $10,000 from Franklin-Southampton Charities for two volunteer fire departments, approved a small Perkins grant adjustment and a $50,000 Wallace Grant to schools, and discussed changes to an employee emergency fund.
Franklin City Council voted to adopt an ordinance establishing a personal property tax exemption for qualified volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. According to the City Manager’s presentation, the exemption is authorized under the Code of Virginia (transcript reference: "section 58.1 dash 3 5 0 6 8 15") and is expected to reduce personal property tax revenue by roughly $8,000 annually. The ordinance requires annual certification by volunteers to confirm eligibility.
Council then approved a series of budget and grant measures brought forward in the city manager's report. The council accepted a $10,000 gift from Franklin-Southampton Charities to be split evenly between the city fire department and the Hunter Day Volunteer Fire Department ($5,000 each); recipients must report back in April how they used the funds. The council also approved a small $276.38 adjustment to the Perkins Career and Technical Education award for Franklin Public Schools (raising the award to $54,920.79) and accepted a $50,000 Wallace Grant to be appropriated to the Franklin Public Schools for arts and youth programming.
The council considered amendments to the Franklin City employee emergency fund to remove eligibility for former employees and their family members and limit the program to current employees; the fund balance was stated in discussion as $11,800. Council members asked staff to clarify the exact wording and the financial scope before finalizing policy changes. Separately, the council adopted a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Bishop Stephen D. Willis Sr.
All the ordinance and resolution items presented during the city manager's report were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote in the meeting transcript; no recorded 'no' votes were captured in the audio.
