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Johnston County proposal could more than double Kenly’s fire funding obligation, council hears
Summary
Johnston County proposed a new cost-share formula that could raise Kenly’s fire-department contribution from about $175,000 to $333,000 in two to three years; town leaders questioned the rationale and discussed tax-rate and contract implications.
Interim Town Manager Tony Sears and Mayor Herbert Hales II briefed the council on a Johnston County proposal to change the cost-share formula for the volunteer fire department. Under the county’s proposed formula — which would consider call volume, property value, population and square mileage — Kenly’s contribution could rise from roughly $175,000 to about $333,000 within two to three years.
Sears and Hales told the council that town leaders do not see a commensurate benefit for residents given the steep increase and emphasized that the town’s contract is with a local 501(c)(3) volunteer fire department, not with the county. The town discussed an alternative in which it would reduce the municipal tax rate by the amount currently allocated to the fire department and the county would assume full funding responsibility.
Council members were also told the volunteer department plans a future capital expansion estimated at approximately $6 million, which would create additional long-term financial obligations for municipalities under the county proposal. The update was informational; council did not take formal action that evening.
