2012/04/16 RESOLUTION CONSOLIDATING THE BUNNLEVEL FIRE PROTECTION SERV DIST & THE SUMMERVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTHarnett
C O U N T Y
NORTH CAROLINA
www.harnett.org
RESOLUTION OF THE HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CONSOLIDATING THE BUNNLEVEL FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE DISTRICT
AND THE SUMMERVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
WHEREAS, upon request of the emergency services departments servicing the
Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District and the Summerville Fire Protection District, the
Harnett County Board of Commissioners decided, by general consensus to proceed with a
proposal to consolidate the Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District and the Summerville Fire
Protection Service District.
WHEREAS, the Harnett County Manager, Harnett County Emergency Services
Director, Harnett County Fire Marshal, Harnett County Senior Staff Attorney, and other
appropriate representatives and employees of the County of Harnett were authorized to take such
steps as might be required or necessary to pursue the statutory and administrative processes
relative to the proposal to consolidate the Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District and the
Summerville Fire Protection Service District into one fire protection service district known as the
Summerville - Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District.
WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute §153A- 304(b) provides the standards and
process to be utilized in consolidating fire protection service districts.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the direction of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners
and in accordance with the North Carolina General Statutes relating to consolidation of fire
protection service districts, a thorough inquiry was conducted in connection with the proposed
consolidation of the Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District and the Summerville Fire
Protection Service District. Such inquiry included input from citizens in the areas which would
be included in the consolidated service districts, fire departments which would service such
districts, consultations with faculty at the UNC School of Government, and comments of citizens
received by the Board of Commissioners and county staff.
WHEREAS, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners caused to be prepared a report
containing a map of the districts to be consolidated, a statement showing the proposed
consolidation meets the standards as required by law, and plans for providing fire protection to
the proposed consolidated district.
WHEREAS, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners conducted a duly noticed
public hearing on April 16, 2012 providing an opportunity for citizens to appear and be heard
concerning the subject proposal.
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WHEREAS, it has been represented to the Flarnett County Board of Commissioners that
such proposal enjoys support within the respective communities involved, with the fire
departments currently providing services within the districts, and through community support
within the subject districts.
WHEREAS, the fire protection service districts proposed to be consolidated are as
follows:
a. Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District, and
b. Summerville Fire Protection Service District.
The proposed consolidated Summerville - Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District is attached
hereto as Exhibit Al, as if fully set forth herein.
WHEREAS, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners has carefully considered the
report dated March 30, 2012 containing maps of the current and proposed consolidated district,
statements showing the proposed district meets the standards as required by law, and plans for
providing fire protection services to the proposed district, along with the input and comments of
citizens and fire departments which would service such districts.
WHEREAS, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners finds as follows:
1. The Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District and the Summerville Fire Protection
District are contiguous each to the other; and
2. The Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District and the Summerville Fire Protection
Service District each provide substantially the same type of service. The Bunnlevel
Fire Protection Service District provides fire protection services. The Summerville
Fire Protection Service District provides fire protection and rescue services; and
3. The proposed consolidated district is able to sustain the additional tax which would
be imposed. It should be noted in that regard that the County is well under its $1.50
authorized maximum; and
4. There is a need to increase the services provided in the Bunnlevel Fire Protection
Service District to a higher level. By consolidation, the Bunnlevel area will be served
by some paid staff, will not be required to rely solely on volunteers, will have access
to better equipment and training, will have access to rescue services, and will be in a
position to reduce the tax rate to the citizens in the area, while affecting homeowners'
insurance rates in a favorable manner; and
5. The Summerville Fire Protection Service District is adjacent to the Town of
Lillington and faces the prospect of losing service area through annexation. Should
this occur, it could negatively affect the operating ability of the Summerville Fire
Department; and
6. County of Harnett currently contracts with Bunnlevel Fire Department and
Summerville Fire Department to provide fire protection services in the respective
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service areas. The two departments have proposed a merger in which they will
consolidate operations into a new {ire and rescue department referred to as the
Summerville - Bunnlevel Fire and Rescue Department, Inc. The new fire department
desires to provide fire protection and rescue services to residents residing in the
Bunnlevel and Summerville Fire Protection Service Districts and has specifically
requested that County of Harnett consolidate the service districts in order to serve a
greater number of people at a higher level of service, protect the service areas in
which the proposed Summerville - Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District would
serve, and allow for the cost burden to be carried equitably by all service district
property owners through the service district tax: and
7. There are numerous calls each month within the area encompassed by the proposed
consolidated district and the proposed district would provide lire protection in a quick
and efficient manner, while making sure that the fire protection organization
responding to the calls is paid for the services provided. The proposed district is an
effective solution to address both immediate and long term fire protection needs,
providing flexibility and funding to support population shifts and growth.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HARNETT COUNTY BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS that the Bunnlevel Fire Protection Service District and the
Summerville Fire Protection Service District are hereby consolidated as shown on the
map attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit Al effective July 1, 2012 at 12:00
a.m..
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Duly adopted this the 14-' day of % ,; I , 2012.
HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
McNeill, Chairman
Proposed Summerville-Bunn level
Fire Protection Service District
Harnett County, NC
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