ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. --
Usually when there's a serious fire or medical emergency in Cheatham County, Ashland City firefighters show up. But soon, they may stop responding to all calls outside city limits if the county doesn't help them out.
"This is about saving mother, grandma and grandpa. This is about helping a child who's choking," said Mayor David McCullough.
Out of 980 calls to the Ashland City Fire Department last year, 40 percent came from outside the city, from places such as west Cheatham County, where Rodney Boyd lives. He and others in rural parts of the county don't pay a fire tax, but they might have to start.
"They'll come around next year and say they need so much and raise them again," Boyd said.
"It's important, because when people call 911, we want someone to show up," McCullough said.
McCullough said Ashland City leaders told him they can no longer afford to provide service to people who aren't paying for it. So, he's hoping county leaders will pass a new fire tax. On a $120,000 home, it would be about $63 more a year.
That would give Ashland City the $185,000 it needs to keep servicing the county and it would help six smaller volunteer departments, such as Henrietta.
"It's important because when people call 911, we want someone to show up," said McCullough.
Ashland City's fire chief said it makes sense.
"It's the fairest way to make everyone pay for the service," said Chuck Walker.
It's unclear when county commissioners might vote on the fire tax, but the mayor said he wants it to happen soon because the new budget starts in July.
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