Summary
Johnston County commissioners approved a fire commission cost‑share policy using a formula (call volume, protected square miles, population) with a phased, up‑to‑five‑year implementation to ease town budget impacts; presenters said no alternative formula was proposed by towns.
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 5 to adopt a cost‑share policy recommended by the county’s Fire Commission to allocate fire service funding between the county and participating towns. Presenters said the formula weights call volume, protected square miles and population to produce a proportionate share and includes a three‑year rolling average and phase‑in periods as large increases occur.
Ryan Parker, representing the fire commission, and subcommittee members including Fire Commission Chair Chief Ellington and vice chair/committee chair Barry Stanley explained that subcommittee work included representatives from every town and that four towns submitted written feedback but none proposed an alternate formula. Deputy Fire Marshal Jordan Piper described the phase‑in structure: small increases (0–10%) may be paid in full immediately, while larger increases (for example above 50%) could be phased in over up to five years to avoid sudden fiscal shocks for municipalities.
Commissioners expressed appreciation for the data‑driven approach and broad engagement with towns and fire chiefs; one commissioner moved to approve the policy and the board carried the motion by voice vote. Presenters said if a town declines to participate, the county would pay its share under the formula but the town share would remain the town’s responsibility, which could leave individual fire departments at risk of not receiving full funding.
