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Citizen questions staffing-driven fire tax increases; board refers concerns to advisory board
Summary
At a Lee County public hearing on proposed fire district tax rates, citizen Drew Womble urged measurable performance standards and questioned the need for staffing-driven budget increases; the board directed the fire advisory board to review his concerns and report back.
A Lee County public hearing on proposed fire district tax rates on June 29 drew residents and chiefs who urged caution before approving larger staffing budgets.
"Where is the demonstrated need?" asked Drew Womble, a resident who said he has served on the county fire advisory board since 2020. Womble criticized requests for additional paid staff that he said were not supported by call-volume data and said the county's fire study recommendations had not been meaningfully implemented. He described Deep River Fire Department's reliance on 36 volunteers and stable service as an example of alternatives to hiring more paid personnel.
In response, commissioners discussed follow-up steps. Commissioner Reeves offered a motion to refer Womble's concerns to the fire advisory board and request a written response to the board of commissioners; the motion carried. Commissioners and staff said they will arrange regular monthly meetings of the advisory board for the remainder of the year to improve oversight and communication.
Several fire chiefs who spoke at the hearing said the increases in their district budgets were driven by rising costs and by recruitment and retention pressures rather than new full-time hires. Chad Deal, fire chief of Tramway, said departments struggle to compete with lateral hires offering higher pay and benefits and described limits on local retirement offerings. David Nance, a fire chief who said his department has operated for decades with one of the lowest budgets in the county, said his district's request reflects operating costs and a narrow local tax base rather than a desire for more paid staff.
Womble told the board he would not seek another term on the fire advisory board and urged the county to adopt measurable performance standards and implement study recommendations before asking taxpayers for additional funds.
The board closed the public hearing and then approved recommended budgets by voice vote. Commissioners also instructed staff and the advisory board to prepare and provide a response to the concerns raised during public comment.
