Fire Tax Rate Reduction Proposal Threatens North Lenoir Fire & Rescue Funding
Lenoir County is proposing a reduction in the fire tax rate for the North Lenoir Fire District, from $0.0575 to $0.0494 per $100 of assessed value, as part of its upcoming FY 2025-2026 budget. While that may seem like a small savings for individual taxpayers, it would remove over $100,000 in annual funding from our department, directly impacting our ability to respond to emergencies, retain volunteers, replace aging equipment, and protect growing neighborhoods and businesses.
North Lenoir Fire & Rescue is not requesting a tax rate increase. We are simply asking to maintain our current rate so we can continue delivering professional, reliable fire protection to the citizens we serve. We understand that property revaluations have increased the overall tax base, and that some revenue growth will occur even with a lower rate. However, the proposed rate cut still results in more than $100,000 less than what we would receive if the current rate were maintained. That reduction directly affects our ability to fund essential services. These aren’t extra funds. They’re critical dollars that support safe staffing, equipment readiness, and consistent response times.
Every dollar from the fire tax goes directly toward operating expenses, fuel for trucks, replacing aging turnout gear, insurance, utilities, and required maintenance for our stations and equipment. None of it is wasted.
This page explains what the proposed change means for our community and how you can help us protect the service you depend on.
Latest Updates
- Friday, May 2, 2025: North Lenoir Fire & Rescue received formal notification from the County Manager of the plan to present a proposed reduction in our fire district tax rate — from $0.0575 to $0.0494 per $100 of assessed value — at 12:40pm, just one business day before the FY 2026 budget was scheduled for presentation. That afternoon, we replied with an email opposing the decrease in funding, expressing our concern that the notification did not allow adequate time to meet with our department leadership and provide input, and requested a meeting with the County Manager.
- Monday, May 5, 2025: The County Manager presented the FY 2026 Budget, including the proposed fire tax rate reductions, to the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners.
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025: The North Lenoir Fire & Rescue Board of Directors held its regular meeting and voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing the proposed rate reduction and send a formal letter of opposition to the County.
– Resolution Opposing Proposed Lenoir County FY 2025-2026 Fire Tax Rate Reductions
– Formal Objection to Proposed FY 2026 Fire Tax Rate Reduction - Wednesday, May 7, 2025: The official letter and resolution opposing the funding decrease was submitted to the County Manager and Lenoir County Board of Commissioners.
- Friday, May 9, 2025: A public Special Called Budget Meeting was held in the Lenoir County Administration Building, Commissioner’s Chambers (2nd Floor), 101 N. Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28501. Several members of the community spoke in support of fire departments and against the proposal to lower the fire tax rate.
- Upcoming Meeting – Monday, May 19, 2025 at 4pm: Next opportunity for public input at the regularly scheduled County Commissioner’s meeting in the Lenoir County Administration Building, Commissioner’s Chambers (2nd Floor), 101 N. Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28501. We encourage citizens to attend and speak in support of protecting fire department funding. You may sign up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting at the podium once you arrive.
Understanding Fire Tax Funding
North Lenoir Fire & Rescue is funded almost entirely through your fire district tax, a dedicated portion of your property taxes that supports fire protection in your community. The fire tax is not part of the County’s general fund. It stays within your fire district and is reinvested locally in YOUR community. This funding goes directly toward:
- – Maintaining reliable response capabilities: We respond to hundreds of calls each year, including structure fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, and hazardous conditions. Your fire tax helps ensure that we have trained personnel available, vehicles operational, and ready equipment.
- – Purchasing and maintaining fire trucks and rescue equipment: Fire apparatus are costly and critical. Engines, tankers, brush trucks, and rescue units must be maintained to national safety standards and replaced on schedule to remain reliable. Without capital funding, the fire tax is our sole source for keeping these essential tools ready.
- – Facility upkeep and personal protective equipment: We maintain multiple fire stations and an advanced training facility. We also provide every firefighter with required turnout gear, air packs, radios, and thermal imaging tools, all of which must be replaced regularly to ensure safety and compliance.
- – Training our 100% volunteer force: Our volunteers are highly trained and ready to respond. Fire tax revenue covers essential firefighter training, continuing education, and certifications. It also allows us to recruit and retain dedicated personnel who serve without pay, but with full commitment to the community.
- – Protecting homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure: Our district includes the county’s busiest commercial corridor, two major industrial parks, and thousands of homes. Strong fire protection isn’t just about emergency response. It also supports economic development, keeps insurance premiums manageable, and helps businesses grow with confidence.
The Impact of the Proposed Reduction
The County is proposing to reduce North Lenoir’s fire tax rate from $0.0575 to $0.0474 per $100 of assessed value. That may sound small, but for a department that relies entirely on this funding, it has big consequences.
It’s important to understand the real-world effect of the proposed tax rate change. While the County’s plan would reduce North Lenoir’s fire tax rate from 5.75¢ to 4.94¢ per $100 of assessed value, the actual savings for individual property owners is minimal.
This table shows the impact of the change for the average homeowner, and helps explain why we believe the tradeoff is not worth the risk to public safety and emergency readiness:
For most homeowners, the monthly savings would be less than $2.50, but it would remove over $100,000 annually from our department’s budget. Even for homes at the higher end of the value range, the proposed fire tax cut results in a difference of less than $3.50 per month, while having a huge impact on our budget.
We’ve Been Fiscally Responsible and Patient
North Lenoir Fire & Rescue has not requested a fire tax rate increase in nearly a decade. At the County’s request, we agreed to delay any discussions of an increase until the property revaluation process was complete.
We honored that request in good faith — even as costs rose, our community grew, and our responsibilities expanded. Meanwhile, most other departments in Lenoir County have increased their rates in the past three years to meet operational demands.
We’ve worked hard to stretch every dollar and avoid burdening taxpayers unnecessarily. Now, after holding the line and waiting as requested, we’re being asked to accept a rate cut instead — despite a 24% increase in our district’s assessed value.
We’re not asking for more. We’re simply asking to keep our current rate to protect the services we’ve built and the safety of the people we serve.
What’s at Risk
Reducing our funding now would weaken our ability to:
- – Maintain our ISO Class 3 rating (which helps keep insurance costs lower)
North Lenoir holds a ISO Class 3 rating, a nationally recognized measure of fire protection performance. An ISO Class 3 rating means your fire department is among the top-performing departments in the country, helping lower your property insurance costs and ensuring faster, better-equipped emergency response. This rating plays a direct role in keeping homeowners’ and businesses’ insurance premiums lower. Reduced staffing, aging equipment, or longer response times could jeopardize this rating, leading to higher insurance costs across the district. - – Respond reliably to emergencies with well-trained volunteers
We respond to a wide range of emergencies — fires, medical calls, vehicle accidents, and more. With limited funding, we may struggle to maintain the necessary personnel, training, and resources to respond quickly and effectively. Every minute matters, and any delay can cost lives and property. - – Replace aging equipment and plan for future apparatus purchases
Our fleet includes trucks and gear that must meet rigorous safety standards and be replaced on schedule. Without stable funding, we can’t plan ahead for replacements, leaving us to rely on older, less reliable equipment that’s more expensive to maintain and less effective in the field. - – Support mutual aid with neighboring departments during large-scale incidents
We routinely assist other departments during large fires, severe weather, and simultaneous emergencies. When one department is weakened, everyone’s safety suffers. Reducing our capacity limits our ability to support, and receive support, when it’s most needed. - – Keep pace with growth across the county’s busiest fire district
North Lenoir serves the fastest-growing and most commercially active area in the county, including two major industrial parks. Our district is expanding, and so are the risks and demands. Cutting funding now hinders our ability to keep pace with development and protect new homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is North Lenoir asking for a tax increase?
A: No. We are simply asking to keep our current rate of $0.0575 per $100 of assessed value. We are not requesting an increase, only to maintain existing funding so we can continue serving our growing community safely and effectively.
Q: Didn’t property values go up during revaluation? Isn’t that more money for you already?
A: Yes, values increased, which is why we agreed with the County to wait and revisit funding after revaluation. But the proposed rate cut cancels out the benefit, leaving us with less funding than needed to meet increased demands.
Q: What does the fire tax pay for?
A: Everything from fire trucks and gear to training, fuel, and building maintenance. We’re a 100% volunteer department, so the fire tax supports direct services — not salaries or administrative overhead.
Q: How much would I save from the proposed tax cut?
A: For most homeowners, the savings would be lass than $2.50 per month. But our department would lose over $100,000 each year, which directly impacts service and response capabilities.
Q: I support the fire department, what can I do?
A: Contact your County Commissioners, attend a public meeting, and share this page with others in the community. Your voice matters!
Take Action to Support Your Fire Department
North Lenoir Fire & Rescue is not asking for more. We’re simply asking to keep our current funding so we can protect lives, property, and our community. Here’s how you can help!
Contact Your County Commissioners
Tell them you support maintaining the current fire tax rate of $0.0575. Let them know this service matters to you and you not want North Lenoir Fire & Rescue to be negatively impacted.
| Linda Rouse Sutton Phone: 252-559-0291 Email: linda.rousesutton@lenoircountync.gov | Eric Rouse Phone: 252-523-3558 Email: eric@ericrouse.com |
| Preston Harris Phone: 252-523-3185 Email: preston.harris@lenoircountync.gov | Keith King Phone: 252-468-5654 Email: keith.king@lenoircountync.gov |
| June Cummings Phone: 252-643-2082 Email: june.cummings@lenoircountync.gov | J Mac Daughety Phone: 252-939-2957 Email: jmac.daughety@lenoircountync.gov |
| Roland Best Phone: 252-268-8988 Email: rolandbestjr@gmail.com | Michael James County Manager Phone: (252) 559-6450 Email: michael.james@lenoircountync.gov |
Attend a Public Meeting
Your voice matters. Public comments are heard before final decisions are made!
Upcoming Lenoir County Commissioner Meetings:
- – Monday, May 19, 2025 at 4pm
- – Monday, June 2, 2025 at 9am
- – Monday, June 16th at 4pm
All meetings are held at the Lenoir County Administration Building, Commissioner’s Chambers (2nd Floor), 101 N. Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28501. The agenda can be accessed and is available on the Lenoir County Government website at https://lenoircountync.gov/government/2025-board-of-commissioners-meetings/
Share This Page
Help us reach more residents. Post it on social media, text it to neighbors, and talk about it at community events. Most people don’t realize the full impact — until they do. You can make a difference by helping us get the word out!
Thank You for Standing with Us
Your support helps us stay ready, responsive, and committed to the citizens of North Lenoir’s fire district.
Together, we can protect the fire service that protects us all.