New fire fee brings $101K for county VFDs

In November, residents in nine Franklin County volunteer fire department districts voted to implement an annual mandatory fire service of $36 per residence. Last week, at a dinner for VFD chiefs and Franklin County Revenue Commissioner Office employees hosted by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, a six-figure number revealed the ultimate results of that vote, and local VFDs found out how much they will receive following property tax collection season.

In this first year of collection, which amounts to 10 months rather than a full 12, based on when the vote took place, the new fire fee will net more than $100,000 for fire departments, in the following estimated amounts:

• East Franklin – $18,915
• Blue Springs – $9,806.70
• Tharptown – $21,388.50
• Gravel Hill – $8,788.20
• Frankfort – $7,245.90
• Hodges – $6,402
• Burnout – $12,076.50
• Vina – $11,203.50
• Pleasant Site – $5,005.20

Departments will receive the fire fee based on the number of residences in their district, $3 per residence per month, to total $100,831.50. That amount will fall closer to $120,000 next year, when it’s based on a full 12 months, according to Revenue Commissioner Veronica Stancil.

Stancil, whose office will tabulate and collect the fee each year from property owners as an addendum on their property taxes, announced the figures during the dinner.

Stancil reminded those gathered that people age 65 and older who are exempt on their property taxes will also be exempt from the fire fee; however, those who have secondary residences will be required to pay the fee for the secondary residence.

Stancil also urged residents who pay their property taxes via escrow to ensure the correct amount is available to cover the cost including the fire fee – which, she reiterated, is not a tax increase but is a fee collected at the same time and through the same office as property tax.

Morrow, who sponsored the legislation to permit the fire fee vote, recounted the efforts to get the legislation in place in time for the November vote and expressed his appreciation for the FC VFDs and their chiefs.

“I’m sick and tired of going out to volunteer fire departments and seeing y’all having barbecue and chicken stew (dinners) to raise money to help people who are benefiting from your services,” Morrow said. “Franklin County is going to be much better off by having these better-funded volunteer fire departments.”