Surry County sets $100,000 base for volunteer fire departments, moves Franklin and Banner Town into contracts

The Surry County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 16 approved a change to its volunteer fire department funding matrix, adopting a $100,000 flat base allocation for each of 17 volunteer response districts and directing that contracts be offered to the Franklin and Banner Town volunteer departments.

Commissioner Harris moved the measure, proposing “to include 17 response districts in Surry County, offer contracts to Franklin as well as Banner Town, volunteer fire departments, and amend the funding matrix to change the base allocation to a flat $100,000 for all of the volunteer 17 volunteer fire departments.” Commissioner Hite seconded the motion, and a voice vote recorded ayes.

The action followed public comments from Franklin Volunteer Fire Department Chief Corbin Suits, who told commissioners the proposed 60/40 funding split (population vs. land area) would shift funds away from the Franklin district and reduce the department’s ability to maintain paid staffing. “That 40% is just land,” Suits said, adding that house fires — not brush fires — drive the highest costs for local volunteer departments.

Commissioners discussed tradeoffs between geographic equity and service demand, and several members emphasized the county’s reliance on volunteers. One commissioner said the state’s regulatory requirements make volunteer service more difficult and noted the county cannot afford to fully staff all 17 departments with paid employees.

Board members also signaled that the fire commission and staff must provide additional guidance and data: the board asked for further information and guidelines so the commission can report back on implementation details and any necessary adjustments to the matrix.

The motion passed on a voice vote. No roll-call tally or detailed funding formulas were recorded on the public record during the meeting. The board later moved into closed session and adjourned.