Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Is the Town of Southern Shores to Poor to Afford the SSVFD?

As you may note from my previous articles, I have been an active member of the Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department. To be exact I joined the SSVFD in December of 1984, so this is my 24th year with the department. During those 24 years I have served in several roles, from Firefighter to Chief, including a couple of terms as Chairman of the Board of Directors. I wanted to state this up front to let you know the following may be somewhat biased.

In case you were not aware, the Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department in not a town fire department. It is a separate non-profit corporation registered and incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina, operating under contracts of agency with both Dare County (for Martin's Point) and TOSS. Currently, there are 30 eligible (voting) members operating out of the two stations (East Dogwood and South Dogwood), plus around 15 support members assisting with other department activities. From Nags Head to Duck this is the last all volunteer department left on the Dare County North Beaches, all the others have three or more paid personnel.

In all these years I have never seen the relationship between TOSS and the SSVFD quite like it is today. Not since the early '90s when TOSS considered taking over the department, have I seen such tension between the two organizations. Now, I'm concerned, not just for the future of the department, but also for the future of the community and the taxpayers.

Over the last couple of years, contract discussions have resulted in friction to the extent that the SSVFD leadership has sought alternative means of support other than contracting directly with the town. As an example, they sought to accomplish this recently by expanding the existing Dare County/Martin's Point contract to include Southern Shores in the Fire Tax District. Although the county was amenable the town council did not agree to pass a resolution to effect that change.

So, now we are in a new town budget planning cycle and the friction increases further. Noted in my previous posting the SSVFD requested an increase, but it was recommended by the Town Manager that their budget should remain the same as the previous year. A $50,200 reduction from what had been requested. Why? When asked specifically why, by Council member Hess, the Town manger was unable to respond with a reasonable explanation. In the budget message he stated “...taking into consideration the Town's financial position, the status of the national, regional, and local economies, and the prior fiscal year appropriations for th fire service, I recommend an appropriation of $291,400.00 for the Fire Department Contract”.

So, are we to assume that the “Town's financial position” is the problem? Or is it the “status of national, regional and local economies”? I contend that it is none of the above!

Perhaps Council Member Stroud said it best when he stated “Let's not dance around the issue, let's get this out into the open” (not an exact quote, but I believe I have the gist of it), What is the real problem?

The SSVFD is the last department left on the beach without a full time paid Chief and that ---- is about to change.

In the past, the Fire Chief of the SSVFD was elected by the membership on an annual basis. A few weeks ago, as per the corporation's bylaws, the membership voted to change the bylaws to allow the Board of Directors to hire a Fire Chief, with a vote of 21 to 5 in favor. I believe this, as it became the primary topic after Councilman Stroud's statement, is the real reason the budget request was cut. Simply a political ploy to place the SSVFD in a financial position that precludes acting as directed by the membership. An attempt to interfere in the internal operations of the SSVFD.

Throughout it's existence, the SSVFD has only requested what was needed to operate efficiently and to maximize the ISO rating. Contract budget requests have gone up and down as each years needs have changed. If anyone has any concern as to the financial stewardship of the SSVFD they can review the annual certified audit provided as required by the TOSS contract, or I'm certain whether citizen or council member, either a member of the Board of Directors or the Chief, would be more than happy to arrange a meeting to go over the budget or any other matter of concern (252 261-2272 non-emergency number).

Will they be able to agree on a contract? What are the options? Will our tax rate be impacted? Will our insurance rates go up? Will TOSS take control of the SSVFD and form a town department?

I'm trying to sort this out and intend to present the options that I foresee, and to explore the potential answers to the those other questions as well..

You are welcome to return later for the “rest of the story”. I'll try not to take too long.





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