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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 draft district alignment by Nov. 17 and final recommendations to the county board by Jan. 20, 2026, and that county staff expected to supply specific funding and dollar amounts in about 30 to 45 days.
Town officials emphasized the uncertainty of how a countywide change would affect municipal budgets. The presenter said, “In this fiscal year, Sunset Beach will allocate $642,000 from tax revenue into the fire department budget,” illustrating that the town already supplements fire funding from its general fund. He also urged the council to follow county discussions because the county may present multiple models — countywide, regional or individual districts — and because parts of Sunset Beach’s service area are outside the municipal boundary.
The presentation used Oak Island’s recent example: Oak Island eliminated its fire fee on July 1 and moved funding to the town tax base. The presenter said Oak Island residents saw mixed impacts on individual bills — “the average homeowner … may have seen a $40 increase, may have seen a a $40 decrease,” depending on property specifics — and that Oak Island retained 100% of the revenue under its option.
Council members asked for clarity on whether a tax model would use assessed property value and on timing for implementation if the commissioners adopt a fire tax. The presenter said the commissioners’ schedule could allow a transition from January to July 1 if the timeline holds. No council action was taken Oct. 6; staff said they are awaiting the county’s detailed funding options before returning to the council with specific implications for Sunset Beach.
