Stanly County commissioners agreed at Thursday’s budget workshop to increase the fire taxes for three volunteer fire departments who requested increases.
The volunteer fire departments of Endy, Misenheimer/Richfield and Oakboro all requested increases. Endy requested a five-cent increase from $0.10 to $0.15, Richfield/Misenheimer asked for four cents ($.07 to $0.11) and Oakboro requested two cents ($.08 to $.10). Oakboro got a two-cent increase in last year’s budget after requesting four cents from six to eight cents.
Commissioners passed a one-cent increase for Oakboro to nine cents unanimously, which would mean an additional $63,500 for the department.
Endy received a two-cent increase unanimously to $.12, giving the department $52,400 in increased income.
For Richfield/Misenheimer, commissioners unanimously agreed on three cents to $.10, which means an additional $75,000 for the department.
County Manager Andy Lucas said he received a letter from Richfield/Misenheimer saying it intends to replace a 2001 model engine and renovate the building.
Commissioner Brandon King said Richfield/Misenheimer has “a very strong board that does not waste money.”
Lucas said Oakboro planned to expand its station, expand staff for additional 24-hour coverage and purchase two new fire apparatus. In a letter to Lucas, Oakboro VFD said the increase was “due to residential and commercial structural growth in our area as well as a lack of available county water supply.”
Lucas said Endy asked for its increase for critical equipment replacement, including its rescue apparatus, tanks and radios.
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