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Person County authorizes $765,000 midyear allocation to local fire and rescue departments
Summary
The Board approved a one-time midyear allocation of $765,000 from the Fire and Rescue Services District Fund to be split equally among departments; staff warned the action could reduce the fund balance to a $1 million minimum cushion and affect future tax flexibility.
The Person County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 approved a midyear funding request from the Chiefs Association totaling $765,000, an allocation the association proposed to divide equally among local fire departments.
County Manager reported the Fire and Rescue Services District Fund had an estimated, unaudited balance of about $1.8 million at the end of fiscal year 2025. Chiefs Association procedures specified maintaining a $1 million minimum fund balance; the proposed one-time allocation of $765,000 would likely draw the fund close to that minimum depending on final audited figures.
The Chiefs Association president, Gabe Wyndham, said costs for equipment and insurance have risen and described the request as a one-time drawdown intended to cover needs such as truck down-payments, refurbishment, portable radios, turnout gear and site acquisition for stations. County staff noted using the fund now could limit flexibility if personnel costs rise and would likely make similar requests unlikely in the near term while the fund rebuilds.
Commissioners debated the trade-offs, acknowledged the fund's unaudited status (the manager cited a federal shutdown-related audit delay), and approved the allocation by voice vote. The board did not attach additional conditions to the allocation in open session.
