Commissioners create Mangum Fire Protection Service District to fund volunteer department

The Durham County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution creating the Mangum Fire Protection Service District in the county's northeast corner after a staff presentation described the proposed district's size, tax base and service rationale.

"The proposed district is 3.55 square miles consisting of 268 taxable parcels with a total appraised value of $64,119,329," the Office of Emergency Services director said while summarizing the staff report. The presentation said the district's year‑round population is estimated at about 500 and that applying a county fire protection tax rate of 0.0919 per $100 of assessed value would result in an annual increase of roughly $219.64 (about $18.30 monthly) on the average property in the district. Staff told the board the Mariah Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department has indicated it cannot continue providing service without funding due to rising operating costs.

Commissioners asked questions about the process and thanked Mariah volunteers for years of unpaid service. No members of the public spoke at the hearing. After discussion, a motion to adopt the resolution establishing the district and authorizing provision of fire protection within the described boundaries passed unanimously.

The staff presentation cited North Carolina requirements for creating a service district and said the staff report and notices were filed with the clerk in February; if approved the district would be effective at the start of the county fiscal year with a recommended tax rate presented through the county budget process.