Geneva County commission hears request to explore taxes or fees as tobacco-tax support for fire districts falls

The Geneva County Commission on Jan. 12 heard from the Geneva County Fire Association about shrinking state tobacco-tax revenue that has helped local fire departments, and commissioners said they would consider local options to shore up funding.

Kyle Hovey, speaking for the Geneva County Fire Association, told the commission that tobacco-tax money designated to the association has been a material support for the county’s ten fire districts but that the revenue is dwindling as tobacco use falls while operating costs rise. Hovey said four of the county’s fire districts already collect a local fire fee added to property tax bills and that the association is exploring funding ideas, including a county-level tax or a dedicated fee for fire and EMS services, to address staffing, equipment and response needs.

Commissioners acknowledged the pressure on volunteer and district-run departments and asked staff to investigate options. Commissioner Jeff Hatcher reiterated that the county should “do what we can to assist these departments,” while Chairman Toby Seay and other commissioners signaled they wanted more information before any policy decision.

Why it matters: County fire and EMS services directly affect emergency response capacity in unincorporated areas. The association’s request signals potential future local revenue proposals that would affect property owners and district budgets. The commission did not vote on a specific funding change at the meeting; members asked for follow-up analysis and possible recommendations from staff.

What's next: The commission did not schedule a vote. Any proposal for a new county tax or fee would require additional study, public notice and, depending on the mechanism, potential state-level compliance checks.