Culberson Fire District residents want tax
Tax district consolidation and refund solutions desired
By Lizz Harold Staff Writer

If Cherokee County Commissioners don't heed the overwhelming opinion to instigate a Culberson Fire Tax District, volunteers will close the fire department's doors.

County Commissioners David Sumpter, Dana Jones, and Johnathan Dickey, sat on a panel with County Manager David Badger and Fire Marshall W.C. King on Tuesday, May 8 in a public meeting that weighed in the public's opinion on a Culberson Fire Tax District.

Commissioners proposed the tax after recent tax mapping discoveries revealed that many home and property owners in the Culberson District were being taxed incorrectly, many for several decades. Those who resided on the district line were inappropriately taxed as being in the Wolf Creek tax district.

One by one, individuals told commissioners of their support for the volunteers who have raised their own money through bake sales and other fundraisers.

"Our volunteers need a new facility and equipment," said Walter Patterson.

The crowd inside the Ranger Elementary School gym erupted into applause in support of Patterson's comments.

The fire department recieves $2,000 from the county, hardly enough for two fire rescue outfits and gear said Commissioner Chairman Dickey.

With an imposed tax, commissioners would set a tax rate based on a proposed budget. Volunteers said that with a tax they would relocate the station closer to Hwy 64 and use the current building as a substation.

While most residents were in a favor of the fire tax, a tax refund for money paid to Wolf Creek was also expressed by key members of the Culberson community.

"I encourage the commissioners to use the money paid in past (incorrect) taxes to go to the Culberson Fire Department," said Don Bost, vice president of the Homeowners Association of Hideaway Mountain.

Those who did oppose the Culberson Tax District said that they would rather combine the two closest fire departments to create one large tax district. The consolidation would result in a lower tax rate to residents, they said.

Commissioners said that discussing other districts violated the open meetings law and did not comment on the proposed solution.