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Mills River questions $32,700 county fire‑inspection charge and explores alternatives
Summary
Council members raised concerns about a recent county inspection arrangement that produced a roughly $32,700 charge (covering 327 occupancies). Town staff will obtain the county interlocal agreement, clarify state‑mandated inspection intervals, and explore whether Mills River Fire Rescue or a subcontractor could provide inspections in the future.
Council members pressed staff for details after the town received a county invoice tied to a new fire‑inspection arrangement covering about 327 occupancies and a billed share of roughly $32,700 for the town.
Several council members said they did not receive advance notice sufficient to budget for the charge and expressed concern about being assessed an annual cost for inspections that, by state minimums, may only be required every two or three years for many occupancies. The mayor asked that staff obtain the interlocal agreement with Henderson County so council can determine what the county is required to provide and what the town already pays in county taxes.
Town staff said the county arrangement covers plan review, construction inspections, annual fire safety inspections and reinspections; staff has requested detail on how often different facility types are inspected under state minimums and said the county indicated all listed occupancies are up to date. Staff noted the interlocal includes a notice provision (90 days) for termination and said they will bring the agreement and clarifying data back to council as part of budget discussions.
Council directed staff to explore alternatives, including whether Mills River Fire Rescue could provide inspections (staff warned that hiring a certified inspector could cost in the range of a full‑time position), or whether contracting with a private firm or subdividing responsibilities across agencies would be more cost‑effective.
Next steps: staff will circulate the county interlocal agreement to council, request a breakdown of inspection intervals by occupancy type, and report back with staff analysis and options during upcoming budget work.
