Mayor Vivian Jones’ recommendation that the town discontinue the true-up funding for the Wake Forest Fire Department came as a surprise as did the vote during Tuesday’s work session. The board of commissioners can vote when they are in a public and publicized meeting, but usually votes about finances are only held during regular business meetings with a publicized agenda.
It is the editor’s opinion that the vote reflected a lack of consultation and information. The commissioners obviously were not aware that the true-up funds from the start have been earmarked by the fire department’s board of directors for a capitol needs fund. That fund was enough to, in 2012, purchase a $425,000 fire truck for Station #3 with cash. Always before, trucks have been purchased and fire stations built with commercial loans with hefty interest rates. The department is currently paying off two such loans, one for station #3 and one for the $950,000 ladder truck, and paying $38,000 yearly in interest. That amount would more than cover the salary and benefits for a beginning firefighter. The fire impact fees have ended the need to borrow for new stations, but the department still needs to purchase expensive replacement equipment for existing stations
Even with the anticipated increase in county funding, the Town of Wake Forest will still pay the largest share of the fire department’s budget and it behooves the town to protect the funding for the department and not have it spent on interest for capital projects. Tuesday’s decision is one that should be reconsidered after consultation with the fire department and complete information about its financing and budgeting.
