By Becky Long
Publisher
Calls in Clay County are increasing and so are the ages of equipment and local fire stations.
Chief Brian Anderson explained some of the cost issues Clay County Fire & Rescue is encountering as the need to upgrade continues to climb with a growing population.
As a result, Anderson is asking commissioners to consider doubling the fire tax to help update and meet the needs of increased services including training, outdated equipment and/or upgrading or building fire stations. Commissioners tabled the matter for further review.
“I was born and raised here,” Anderson said “I don’t want to put a bunch of new taxes on people. I’m concerned the .04 would not cover costs.”
Anderson explained many of the needs associated with fire and rescue services. He said calls have increased 36 percent over the past four years from 1,198 to 1,625 in 2024. The majority are medical assists, he said.
Anderson explained that another million dollars could be generated with a overall fire tax increase to .085 per $100 valuation.
“We are hoping to get 0.85 to increase the budget by $1 million,” he said during a presentation at the March 6 commission meeting.
The fire tax is included in property owner’s tax bill. The specific rate depends on where the property is located. For example, if you pay taxes on property in Hayesville, Tusquittee, Fires Creek or Elf your rate is .03 percent of $100 evaluation. If you live in Warne or Shooting Creek your rate is .04 percent.
For example if your property is valued at $200,000, you are paying about $80 per year with the .04 percent rate. The commissioners are being asked to consider increasing the fire tax to .085 percent which would mean the property owner would pay $170 total or $90 more per year based on $200,000 property value.
Overall, the current blended fire tax rate is estimated to bring in $626,370 county-wide based on last year’s anticipated revenue. If the county approves the requested rate of .085 per $100 value, it could generate $1,662,570 in revenue.
How would the new revenue benefit Clay County Fire & Rescue? Here are a few examples:
• Replace out of date equipment.
• Replace apparatus.
• Add more paid personnel.
• Investment in new station 1.
• Improve ISO rating.
• Upgraded equipment/apparatus, ladder truck.
Anderson gave a presentation underscoring not only the needs of the organization, but the accomplishments as well:
• In 2021 the VFDs in Warne, Brasstown and Shooting Creek merged into Clay County Fire and Rescue.
• In 2024 CCFR lowered the ISO rating to a class 6. The ISO or insurance grade is used to determine how well your home can be protected from fire. It is determined by several factors including proximity to a fire station and fire hydrant among other considerations. Nine is the worst number assigned. The lower rating saves residents money.
• The department has 52 volunteer members with four paid positions.
• It includes 28 certified firefighters, five EMT/EMR, five EMT Advanced and 20 Paramedics. In addition they have six certified Technical Rescuers.
• Automatic aid agreements with Towns County Fire and Peachtree Fire Department. Also mutual aid with Murphy Fire Department and Rabun for Tate City.
In other matters commissioners approved the renewal of the contract in which the county will pay to AirMedCare Network a total of $27,199.14 annual.
Covered individuals and transports (according to contract):
Any individual who resides within the boundaries of Clay County when transported for medical necessity by Med-Trans Corporation (or any AirMedCare Network Provider) will be covered under the standard terms and conditions for an AirMedCare Network membership (attached), except:
• Transport must be from a pickup location in Clay County, N.C., Cherokee County, N.C., Towns County, Ga, or Union County, Ga. and
• If the covered individual transported is uninsured at the time of transport or is an inmate at the Clay County Correctional Facility at the time of transport, Med-Trans Corporation will bill the covered individual or Clay County Correctional Facility at the “Medicare Allowable Rate” for the transport.
Air Med also sells upgrades to its services.