The Fiscal Year 2020 Budget approved by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on June 13 includes a new fire service funding model and a 3.75 cent increase in the fire tax district rate for residents who live or own property in the unincorporated areas of the county.
The funding model was endorsed by the Public Safety Task Force in April. The rate will now be 15 cents per $100 valuation for residents in all fire districts as part of an all-encompassing unincorporated Cumberland County Fire Protection Service District.
The commissioners reactivated the PSTF in 2017 to develop a sustainable funding mechanism to ensure adequate fire and rescue service delivery in the county and to develop an updated agreement between County government and the contracting fire departments.
Cumberland County fire departments, like others across North Carolina and the United States, are facing decreasing numbers of volunteers while at the same time increasing demand for fire and rescue services. The result is a significant increase in the cost of providing essential fire services.
Under the new funding model, contracting fire departments will continue to receive base funding for each fiscal year calculated at 10 cents per $100 valuation for the appropriate fire district. Low-wealth districts will receive additional funding generated from 1.25 cents per $100 valuation and the remaining funds resulting from the 3.75 cent increase will be distributed through supplements, incentives and grants.
For more information on the County’s balanced budget, which includes approximately $490 million in total expenditures across all funds and a General Fund total of approximately $323 million, visit the County’s website at co.cumberland.nc.us. The budget maintains the property tax rate at 79.9 cents and the special recreation tax at 5 cents per $100 valuation.