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County budget would raise CFD 1 levy to fund 10 new emergency positions
Summary
Staff told commissioners the Consolidated Fire District (CFD 1) budget would increase the mill levy by 3.83 mills (to an estimated 9.83 mills) and add six firefighters, three captains and one battalion chief to stabilize rural emergency response capacity; commissioners asked about hire timing and grant eligibility.
Brooke, a county staff member, said the 2027 Consolidated Fire District (CFD 1) budget increases the district’s mill rate by 3.83 mills to add staff capacity and stabilize rural emergency response. "This budget expands emergency response staffing by adding 6 firefighters, 3 captains, and 1 battalion chief, which will stabilize their... workforce," Brooke said.
Staff presented the final estimated maximum levy rate for CFD 1 as 9.83 mills, up from an earlier reference point of 6 mills in 2025. A commissioner asked whether the salary numbers assume hires begin Jan. 1; Brooke said she believed so but could not confirm and noted the district would need to recruit if approved.
Commissioners and staff also noted that including the positions in the budget would allow CFD 1 to apply for a PPE grant that required the positions be in the budget before applying. No CFD leadership spoke during these hearings; staff said they would check with CFD leadership for details if commissioners wanted more information.
The commission signaled staff should proceed with the public-notice and form-preparation steps ahead of the Aug. 26 public hearing, but no formal adoption vote on the CFD budget was recorded during the hearings.
