Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LOCUST — The Ridgecrest Volunteer Fire Department hosted the Stanly County Board of Commissioners last Thursday to ask for more funding via an increase in the fire tax rate.

Commissioners met with fire department’s chief and captains in a special meeting at RVFD headquarters in Locust to hear more on its financial and operational situation. They also took a tour through the station building and new dormitory facility.

The department would like to see the fire tax rate increase from 11 cents to as much as 15 cents, with the increased residential property tax revenue slated to increase staffing for 24/7 coverage and toward the purchase of a new fire truck.

“We wanted you to have a good understanding of where we are, where we think we’re headed, and what we think our needs are,” explained Chief Rick Eudy. “We called this meeting so we could talk person-to-person and get this straightened out before it goes before you all … Staffing is one of our main things.”

Ridgecrest VFD typically handles 360 to 400 calls per year, with a dozen part-time staff and is one person on duty from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The department would like increase that to have one person — and preferably two — on duty overnight.

Staff pay is currently set at $16 per hour.

With it’s existing fire truck near the end of its useful life, the department is in the market for a new truck that will cost as much as $1 million when all costs are included. The RVFD is working with foundations and charitable organizations in the area on a 10-year, zero-interest loan that would allow for financing payments around around $100,000 per year.

Board Chairman Mike Barbee said he’s reluctant to put another fiscal hit on local residents.

“I wish we could do this without having to raise taxes,” Barbee said. “I just hate to throw another burden on some people. And what I’m really scared of, with all the development that we’ve got going on and we have to keep up, is that we’d have to keep raising property taxes.”

His concern is that, eventually, it could force “people that’ve lived here all their lives to sell their property and move out because they can’t afford their property taxes.”

Commissioner Billy Mills praised RVFD’s operation and staff, saying “Rick, you have surrounded yourself with guys who love what you do.”

The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will consider the department’s funding request at the board’s next regular meeting, May 12 at 6 p.m. inside the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

The Ridgecrest Volunteer Fire Department responds to nearly 400 calls for service each year.