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Sunset Beach braces for possible countywide fire tax; county to deliver funding options in weeks
Summary
Town officials heard a briefing on a Brunswick County plan to consider replacing the county 'fire fee' with a fire tax; the county plans to provide funding numbers in 30–45 days, with a draft district alignment targeted for Nov. 17 and final recommendations by Jan. 20, 2026. Sunset Beach staff warned the move could change local funding and opt-out complications for county areas.
Town staff and a fire service representative briefed the Sunset Beach council on Oct. 6 about a Brunswick County initiative that could shift fire funding from the current fire fee mechanism to a property tax model.
“Currently, we’re funded by the fire fee mechanism,” the presenter (identified in the meeting as Childress) told the council, explaining how the fire fee is calculated by physical factors such as heated square footage and acreage rather than assessed property value. He said the county’s planning timeline calls for a…
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