The Cumberland County budget committee denied additional funding after a second plea was made for the Fairfield Glade Fire Department by 9th District Commissioner John Patterson.
Last month the committee tentatively approved $20,000 of funding for the Fairfield Glade Fire Department. The department had requested $116,111 for operating expenses, $40,000 for new air packs, and $56,111 to purchase P-25 emergency communication radios.
Commissioners had expressed concern about funds that went missing after a former member of the department took more than $239,000.
The case has since been closed after James Botbyl, former firefighter and treasurer of the Fairfield Glade Fire Department, pleaded guilty and has agreed to make restitution at $1,800 to $1,900 per month. There have since been safety and security measures put in place so such a theft would be unable to occur again, Patterson said.
He moved to grant the department a one-time donation of $59,000 to go toward the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatuses.
“Our nine districts each have about 11% of the county’s population, but Fairfield Glade pays 31.2% of the county’s property taxes. If Fairfield Glade did not exist, there’s no telling how many jobs would be lost or how many businesses would close, but I can tell you that to raise the same amount of property tax revenue, your tax rate would have to be increased by 47.2% and require the addition of 73.7 cents to the current rate,” Patterson said.
“While Glade residents are overwhelmingly in favor in helping all county residents, we also realize that we pay more than our fair share, and we would like our fire department to be treated fairly.”
Sue York, 1st District, supported the motion for discussion purposes.
Charles Seiber, 4th District commissioner, said, “I commend Commissioner Patterson for fighting for his district. It’s hard for me. This will be a no vote. I can’t go back to my district and say ‘I’m giving your tax dollars to Fairfield Glade. This county is reapportioned by the state. All districts are within 3%. I don’t see Fairfield Glade closing their doors and moving out. Just ‘cause they opt to live better. We’re all paying the same property tax. It’s all the same. If there was no fire department in Fairfield Glade, the county fire department will come out and fight it just like they’d come and fight mine.”
Seiber suggested they contact the Fairfield Glade Community Club and get the funding from their board.
After a lengthy discussion, the committee voted against Patterson’s motion in an 8-1 vote. Patterson was sole yes vote.
Seiber then moved to deny the request. The motion was supported by Terry Lowe, 5th District.
Rebecca Stone, 3rd District commissioner and budget committee chairwoman, asked if any of the commissioners would want to discuss the subject again Tuesday night.
Commissioners York, Stone, Wendell Wilson, 6th District, and Patterson said they would. The remainder said no.
The group then denied the request.
In other areas, the committee approved giving Fair Park Senior Center $25,775. The group had requested an additional $14,000 for hiring personnel.
Stone said she was comfortable with last year’s funding of $25,775. Seiber moved to go with last year’s amount and Lowe supported the motion. It was unanimously approved.
The committee continues to work on the 2019-’20 fiscal year budget.
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