Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Districts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire Advisory Board presents FY26–27 budgets; most districts project tax‑rate increases
Summary
The Lee County Fire Advisory Board recommended budgets for seven volunteer fire districts that would raise district tax rates in most areas to cover salary increases, equipment replacement and 24‑hour coverage expansion; commissioners heard the presentation and asked questions.
The Lee County Fire Advisory Board presented recommended FY26–27 budgets for seven volunteer fire districts, showing projected tax‑rate increases driven by salary and benefit growth, equipment replacement and upgrades in paging technology and preparations for station expansions to support 24‑hour staffing.
The board noted six of the seven districts proposed higher tax rates, with requests ranging from small percentage increases to larger jumps for districts planning station expansions or increased hours of coverage. The Tramway, Cape Fear, Lemon Springs, Northview, Carolina Trace, Pocket and Deep River districts were discussed; examples included Tramway using fund balance to smooth a 28.4% budget increase and Lemon Springs planning a 31.8% increase to cover additional daily hours and renovation costs.
Fire Advisory Board members said they had asked departments to review budgets for potential reductions; two districts (Carolina Trace and Northview) submitted revised, reduced budgets. Commissioners thanked advisory board members and invited departmental representation to future meetings for additional explanation and questions about individual district requests.
