HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-2023 Special Called MeetingIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
June 26, 2023
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met for a Special Meeting at 4pm on Monday,
June 26, 2023 in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room located in the Iredell County Government Center
200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chair Melissa Neader
Vice Chair Bert Connolly
Gene Houpe
Brad Stroud, Sr.
Board Members Participating Remotely
Scottie Brown
Staff Present: County Manager Beth Mull, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, and
County Attorney Lisa Valdez.
Commissioner Stroud led in the invocation.
County Manager Beth Mull gave some background information on the funding formula
for Fire Departments. When the Board approved the FY24 budget the overall total for fire funding
was approved to do a 23% increase for all of the Volunteer Fire Departments. There was a request
to go back and look at the funding formula as it did not change with the 23% in crease. The
increase was for operational funding and set aside funding for future buildings because when the
All-County nine started it began with no fund balance. T he first opportunity we would have to
generate a fund balance would be in the reappraisal year. Fund balance is important because
that's what the County uses to start future fire stations and there are some stations on the list
for future stations. At the point of approving the total amount the Board asked staff to revisit the
funding formula to see how to adequately address needs specifically staffing issues. Staffing is a
nationwide issue including the volunteer fire departments. Staff broke out the funding into two
categories; staffing and base operations. Staffing is $18 per hour for two people Monday – Friday
(24 hours per day) and one person Saturday and Sunday (24 hours per day) to ensure there is at
least one person at every main station 24 hours a day. Base Operations: a set amount for one
base and an increase for substations. Staffing and Base Operations will be tracked and funded
separately. Mull noted the County will still fund the facility and apparatus debt. Mull explained
that the additional funding is coming from the building fund. Staff pulled audited numbers when
compiling the number for base funding to see what it costs to run the stations. All of this is tied
back to specific numbers and data.
Commissioner Houpe said the Board is trying to meet the department’s staffing needs
and capital. If some of the departments do not use staffing will they be able to use it on other
needs.
Mull said five departments asked for additional funding 14 did not , however, the Board
tries to treat every department fair and equitably. Staff went back and looked at the funding
formula to make sure the department was funded the same way regarding staffing. If a
department does not need additional funding for staffing staff would ask instead of submitting
equipment line item that they pay for the equipment with the residual funds. This would help roll
money back into the reserve for buildings. Using the money from the building fund pushes out
the building of the new fire departments.
Chair Neader said this is the first time staffing has been broken out separately and in the
coming fiscal years the Board will be able to compare dollars spent on staffing with audits. There
will be a way to follow up. This will help give a clearer picture of staffing and other requests that
may come into play.
Vice Chair Connolly said volunteerism is almost gone. It is dif ficult to get some people to
work for $25 much less $15. Everyone in the County deserves protection. The funding formula
helps solve the problem. Some departments do not need staffing but the funding is there if they
need it.
Commissioner Stroud is concerned the Board is ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’. There are
three fire departments that need new buildings (Monticello, West Iredell, and Central). It is easy
for the ones who have the new building to recommend we spend money out of the capital but it
is hard to tell the other three to keep waiting. Volunteerism is waning. Some departments do a
great job with volunteerism. Every department is getting a sizeable increased compared to what
it was. Some across the County are paying their staff up to or even more t han what the change
and doing it with the current budget. Stroud said, “I don’t mean to sound cold. If you know my
heart, you know I am very passionate. It is that struggle to find balance and do the right thing.
The means of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
Chair Neader said Commissioner Stroud brought up great points.
Mull said the County will not be able give this percentage increase again. It is not
sustainable year after year.
Chair Neader asked if the funding would be decreased.
Mull said no. Staff felt that 23% was a sizeable increase. This is not something that can
happen again.
Commissioner Stroud said depending on how someone looks at the numbers they can say
there are some inequities because the increase is not the same. There is some dissention. The
needs are legitimate for everyone but a balance be found.
Chair Neader said the Board was able to move forward with the FY24 budget as a whole
but wanted to take another look at the fire funding formula. She expressed appreciati on to staff
for their work.
Commissioner Houpe said some departments did not ask for additional funding because
they were going to try to work within the current budget. Some did not ask because they did not
think they would receive additional funding. Co mmissioner Houpe asked the Board and staff to
look at options to avoid not putting off building the new departments.
The Board expressed appreciation to all of the volunteer fire departments.
Commissioner Stroud said the Board setup the $3 million 0% interest loan for unexpected
needs for Volunteer Fire Departments. Some departments have utilized this option. Stroud said,
“I am very, very supportive of the fire service. You are my brother and sister. I’ve seen firsthand.
I’ve never been a firefighter. I do know what it looks like for a soldier to run the wrong direction.
I am very appreciative.”
Commissioner Brown expressed appreciation to the departments. The Board will work
this out. This is a good start.
MOTION Commissioner Houpe to approve the new funding formula and to continue
looking at different options for Capital and other requests.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
MOTION by Commissioner Brown to adjourn at 4:38pm.
VOTING Ayes – 5; Nays – 0