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Council presses for transparency, moves away from '10% precedent' and plans $243,000 contribution to fire company
Summary
Council leaders said they will stop relying on an informal 10% contribution practice and will provide $243,000 to the local fire company in FY27 after requiring more detailed accounting; the mayor and council urged coordination with county and state partners for highway‑related service costs.
Mount Airy council members and the mayor told the town's budget workshop on April 20 that the town will move away from an informal "10% precedent" in funding the volunteer fire company and instead will provide $243,000 in FY27 while pressing the company for clearer accounting of how funds are spent.
Council leaders said they met several times with the fire company to obtain revenue and expense detail after questions from council members. "The days of us just writing you a blank check of 10% are over," one council member said, explaining the council's intent to require more transparency before setting ongoing expectations.
Why it matters: the town contribution is one of the larger line items in the general fund. Council members and the mayor said they want a clearer breakdown of the fire company's revenue sources and capital obligations (including loan payments) before finalizing long‑term support levels.
Details and figures
- Town contribution: presenters said the town's planned contribution for FY27 is $243,000. - County contribution: staff said the fire company receives approximately $45,000 from Frederick County. - Loan payments and capital: council members cited about $156,000 of the fire company's receipts that go to loan payments for equipment; the company also listed capital needs including a new engine and equipment expected in November 2026 and additional upgrades and bunk‑room work estimated at roughly $315,000.
Council discussion
Council members said the town should use better documentation rather than relying on informal practice. Several members recommended teaming up with county commissioners and state partners to ask whether highway and state responsibilities (not town roads) could shift some costs off town taxpayers. The mayor said the fire company and town had made progress: "They gave us a revenue and expenses sheet and a revised list showing county and state contributions," the mayor said, and later added, "They're happy with $243,000. I'm happy with $243,000."
Next steps
Council members asked staff to circulate the fire company's updated expense breakdown before the formal budget vote. The council said it will not assume a continuing 10% expectation in future budgets and will seek to align town grants with documented needs and outside funding sources.
