Sampson County fire departments ask commission for higher tax rates to fund apparatus replacement and paid staffing

At a May 7 meeting of the Sampson County Fire Commission, chiefs from local volunteer and municipal departments urged the commission to approve higher or sustained fire-tax rates to finance aging apparatus, daytime paid staffing and capital repairs.

Ashley Grimes, chief of Pine Grove Fire Department, told the commission her station has a 25-year-old engine on the roster and has implemented a five-year apparatus replacement plan. Grimes said the department sought an increase from 7 cents to 10 cents last year and continues to press for additional revenue to replace equipment and sustain part-time staff. “The impact of not increasing this rate will be slower response time, increase equipment failure and repair costs, reduce staffing reliability, increase risk to citizens and firefighters,” Grimes said.

Grimes said Pine Grove has recently purchased a used truck and added part-time personnel; she told commissioners the department currently employs two part-time workers and has raised hourly pay as competition for personnel increased.

Hagan Thornton, fire chief for the City of Clinton, asked the commission to leave Clinton’s rate at 10 cents, citing that the department staffs seven people per day, operates 24 hours and responded to 1,119 calls last year. Thornton said keeping the 10-cent rate preserves Clinton’s current level of mutual-aid support across the county.

Christopher Norris, Garland’s fire chief, requested raising Garland’s tax from a 9-cent multi-year rate to 10 cents, pointing to rising fuel and maintenance costs, training needs and general inflation. Norris said Garland received a $20,000 donation from the town but needs the rate increase to maintain operations.

Chief James of Harold’s described a different trajectory: his department is moving away from paid staffing, reported a recent ISO rating improvement to class four, and asked to remain at a 9.5-cent rate to match neighboring Duplin County. He noted capital plans including paying off a third station and existing loans for a Pierce engine and air pack purchases.

Trey Sides of Bobby’s Corner Volunteer Fire Department described a pressing capital project: an engineer’s estimate of about $465,000 to repair drainage, replace the septic system and repave the parking lot. Sides said Bobby’s Corner operates two engines (27 and 25 years old) and averages about eight volunteers per call.

C.D. Vernon, chief of Turkey, said the department aims to preserve paid staffing and is seeking to match a 50/50 grant for a cascade system that would require a roughly $40,000 local contribution. Vernon said Turkey recently sold older trucks and expects a new truck ordered to arrive in late 2027; the department’s long-term target is two paid staff seven days a week.

Commission leadership framed the presentations as part of the formal budget process. Commissioners discussed cleaning up the commission’s resolution language—removing references to supplements that no longer apply—and noted the work could continue prior to the final budget vote.

The commission set a final budget vote for May 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the same meeting room. A motion to adjourn carried at the close of the session.