Friday, August 15, 2003
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Friday, August 15, 2003 |
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Fire tax rising?
County looks at funding understaffed Fire Dept. By JOHN THOMPSON
The Coweta County Commission will decide in September whether the county needs to raise the fire tax for residents. Last week, the County Commission heard how understaffed the county's fire departments are. "We've got 88 total personnel to man the stations," said Chief Dennis Hammond. The stations are staffed 24 hours a day, but only one firefighter is at the station during an eight-hour shift, he added. "This is totally a safety issue for me. We've got ladders that take three people to operate," said Commissioner Larry DeMoss. DeMoss and Commissioner Greg Tarbutton headed up a committee to look at the fire department and its staffing. Currently, the fire tax rate is 2.05 mills. With an increase to 2.5 mill, Hammond could hire an additional 12-15 firemen. The county's staff estimated the increased tax rate would add $17 a year in taxes to the owner of a $100,000 home. County administrator Theron Gay said the county will decide the millage rate in September.
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