Brunswick County fire departments explain 15% fire fee increase
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Fire departments across Brunswick County are explaining why residents will see a 15% increase in fire fees this year, saying the additional funding is needed to keep up with rising costs, growing communities and increasing demand for emergency services.
The county’s fire fee system is based on the heated square footage of a property and funds fire protection within each district. While state legislation allowed departments to request increases of up to 25% this year, both Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Rescue and Calabash Fire Department said they chose to request a smaller 15% increase.
In a statement, Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Chief Bill Lathrop said the decision followed discussions by the district’s Fire Fee Committee, which includes representatives from the fire department, local government and the community.
“We understand that no one wants to see fees increase,” Lathrop said. “We also believe our community deserves to understand why the additional funding is needed.”
According to Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Rescue, departments across the country are facing many of the same challenges, including declining volunteer participation, rising emergency call volumes and higher costs for fire engines, protective gear, fuel, maintenance and insurance.
The department also noted that several of its fire trucks are aging and will need to be replaced in the coming years, making long-term financial planning essential.
Meanwhile, the Calabash Fire Department said rapid growth in southern Brunswick County played a significant role in its request.
Officials said approximately 11,000 new homes have already been approved within the district, although only a portion have been built so far. New commercial developments are also underway along U.S. Highway 17, including Walmart, Publix, Wawa, Chase Bank, McDonald’s, Dunkin’, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and other businesses.
The department said the increased funding will help advance plans for a third fire station, which officials say is necessary to maintain emergency response times as the community continues to grow.
“Every year we fail to make meaningful strides—not just small steps—pushes the third station further into the future and delays our ability to increase emergency response capabilities for this community,” the department said.
Both departments emphasized they intentionally requested less than the maximum increase allowed, saying the goal was to balance the financial impact on taxpayers while continuing to provide reliable fire protection.
Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Rescue said planning ahead now will help avoid larger financial burdens in the future while ensuring firefighters have the staffing, equipment and apparatus needed to respond when residents call 911.
