February 25, 1991 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

Meeting of the Johnston County Board of CommissionersFebruary 25, 1991The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session Monday, February 25,1991, at 7 oclock pm, in the Commissioners Room, Johnston County Courthouse Annex,Smithfield, North Carolina, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, James W Cash and JerryF Wood, DDSAbsent John M Booker, DVMAlso present Richard B Self, County Manager, Eleanor N Creech, Clerk to the Board,and Dewayne West, Director of Emergency ManagementThe Chairman called the meeting to order and opened the Public Hearing concerning thedesignation of fire taxing districts for the service areas known as Smithfield and Selma1 Public HearingAdvertised Smithfield Herald - February 15, 1991Johnstonian Sun - February 14, 1991Attendance Approximately 30 peopleChairman Norman C Denning stated the purpose of the Public Hearing is to obtaincitizen input concerning the levy of a tax for fire protection in the Smithfield Districtlocated outside the town of Smithfield and served by the Smithfield Fire Department; and in theSelma District located outside the town of Selma and served by the Selma Fire DepartmentThe Chairman called on Dewayne West, Johnston County Fire Marshall and Director ofEmergency Management, to review the requirements of a service district and the authorizationunder North Carolina General StatutesMr West explained and outlined the criteria and State regulations that firedepartments must meet, saying once these requirements are met the Department of Insurance willprovide for an inspection for certification He emphasized, the lower the fire rating, thegreater the benefit to homeowners and commercial businesses within the service district,relative to insurance premiums He added the increase in revenue from a district tax wouldenable fire departments to provide a better quality of service with more up -to -date suppliesand equipmentChairman Denning commended the County fire departments on the fine job they are doing,but emphasized that expenses are becoming greater and additional revenue is necessary to meetthe departments needs The Chairman further explained the actual rate would be determined byan appointed fire district commission from within the service area He noted the law allows afire tax service rate of up to 150 per 100 valuation, however, the Board of Commissioners andthe Johnston County Fire Association agreed several years ago that the rate would be limited toa maximum of 80100 valuationChairman Denning explained the Public Hearing would be held in two parts with commentson the Smithfield District first, followed by comments on the Selma DistrictSmithfield DistrictMr Marvin Hill asked what property would be taxed The Chairman responded that allproperty within the service district, subject to county taxes, would be assessed the servicedistrict taxNorman Johnson, Smithfield Fire Chief, thanked the Board of Commissioners, CountyManager and County staff for support and assistance in helping promote the progress that hasbeen made in establishing these service districts for fire protection He, also, expressedappreciation from the Johnston County Fire AssociationThere being no further comments on the Smithfield District, the Chairman closed thisportion of the Public HearingemFebruary 25, 1991 ContinuedSelma DistrictJim Caldwell, Manager, Town of Selma advised the Board the Town of Selma has officiallyrequested the Board of Commissioners establish a fire service tax for the Selma District Healso thanked the Board of Commissioners, Dewayne West and the County staff for their helpThere being no further comments on the Selma District, the Chairman closed the PublicHearing and thanked everyone for their remarks and attendanceChairman Denning expressed favorable comments with regards to the service districts forfire protection in Johnston County, and with agreeable response from other board members,stated the Board would be in a position to vote at the March meeting2 Public Hearing Date Set - Smithfield -Selma 201 Wastewater Facilities Plan AmendmentChairman Denning called for a Public Hearing to be held on Monday, April 1, 1991, at 11oclock am, in the Commissioners Room, Johnston County Courthouse Annex, Smithfield, NorthCarolina, to solicit citizens input regarding the 201 Facilities Plan Amendment on wastewaterimprovements for the Central Johnston County Regional Wastewater Treatment FacilityUpon a motion by Commissioner Frank B Holding, duly seconded by Commissioner James WCash and carried by unanimous vote, the Board adjournedEleanor N CreechClerk to the BoardNorman C Denning, ChairmanifDetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 123345 PMCreated3172003 21626 PMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeSpecialMinutes - Date2251991Book19