Three communities to get fire tax
By Gabby Hudson Staff Writer

The communities of Culberson, Unaka and Grape Creek will soon see an increase of five cents for a fire tax.

During a meeting held on Monday morning at the Cherokee Countycourt House, commissioners voted on a resolution creating a fire service district for each community.

The tax of $.05 on each $100 of valuation or on a $100,000 home would cost the taxpayer about $50 a year or about $4.17 a month added on to their existing taxes.

County Manager David Badger said that this was the final step. However, taxpayers in the communities can still comment on the amount of the tax rate until June 18.

According to the resolutions, the majority of the residents who were present at the public hearings were favorable to supporting their community fire departments.

The commissioners held meetings at each community starting with Culberson. During the Culberson meeting residents said that currently without the implementation of the fire tax the station would close its doors.

During the meeting held in at the Unaka Community Center, residents expressed their gratitude to the volunteer members, and said they, for the most part, supported the tax as long as it was set at a reasonable rate.

The meeting was held at the the Grape Creek Community Center. One resident stated that the department was funded mostly through fund raising, bake sales and contributions but at the current cost of fuel prices and the cost to maintain the department the station could cease to existed under the current lack of funding.

The final budget is scheduled to be adopted at the June 18 county commission meeting.