Johnston County Commissioners will provide additional funding to five fire departments that have an annual fire tax revenue income of $300,000 or less.
The Blackman’s Crossroads, Bentonville, Bethany, Micro, and Strickland’s Crossroads Fire Departments will share $483,977 in additional funding this year from the County to assist the agencies with providing fire protection service in their communities.
Chris Ellington, Chief of the Cleveland Fire Department, presented the Fire Matrix Implementation Report to Commissioners, during their March 6 meeting.
Under the approved plan, Blackman’s Crossroads FD will receive $96,722, Bentonville FD $152,291, Bethany FD $80,440, Micro FD $25,090, and Strickland’s Crossroads FD $129,434.
Chief Ellington said the departments must use the funds to maintain and improve service in their districts. This includes, but is not limited to paying for fuel, or hiring part-time employees. It is left up to each individual department.
In addition, the five departments will receive an additional $25,000 each. These funds must be used specifically to cover the cost of annual equipment testing and to pay for insurance premiums.
The Antioch and Brogden Fire Departments had an annual fire tax revenue income under $300,000 but did not qualify for the funds because their fire tax rate are below $0.12. Antioch’s rate is $0.08 and Brogden is $0.10. The five departments that qualified had $0.12 rates or higher, the minimum threshold to receive funding.
