TITLE
Title
PUBLIC HEARING TO ESTABLISH THE CENTRAL PIEDMONT FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE DISTRICT
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Jim Albright/Matt Mason
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BACKGROUND
Background
SYNOPSIS: Properties that are currently within the Pleasant Garden Fire Protection Service District Overlay (“Pleasant Garden Service District”) and the properties within the Climax Fire Protection Service District Overlay (“Climax Service District”) will be consolidated to form the Central Piedmont Fire Protection Service District (“Central Piedmont Service District”). This action is the result of the voluntary merger between the Pleasant Garden Fire Department and the Climax Fire Department that was completed on July 1, 2025.
BACKGROUND: The Boards of Directors of the Pleasant Garden Fire Department and the Climax Fire Department contracted with a consultant to explore merger/consolidation beginning in 2023. Through a stepwise process, the decision to merge was approved and occurred effective July 1, 2025. Both non-profit corporations had separate legal representation throughout the process, and Guilford County was apprised of the progress. The final merger was approved by the respective Boards of Directors in late June 2025, but required this Report to be filed with the Clerk to the Board at least two (2) weeks before a public hearing with the Board of Commissioners following proper notice and letters mailed to all affected property owners at least four (4) weeks before a public hearing.
As structured, Guilford County agreed that Pleasant Garden Fire Department would be the surviving entity (DBA Central Piedmont Fire Department) and would absorb all assets, liabilities, and contracts previously held by Climax Fire Department, including the contract for fire protection in the Guilford County portion of their district. Due to the requirements of N.C.G.S. §153A, Pleasant Garden was asked to separate all revenues and expenditures for the respective districts and maintain them separately for FY 25-26. Once the new service district is established and taxing authority is granted in future fiscal years, this requirement can be waived.
MAP: A map showing the current boundaries of the Pleasant Garden Fire Protection Service District (attachment 1) and the Climax Fire Protection Service District (attachment 2) are attached, as well as the proposed boundaries of the Central Piedmont Fire Protection Service District (attachment 3).
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: The Pleasant Garden Service District and the Climax Service District adjoin and were established for substantially similar purposes, namely fire protection (to include emergency medical and rescue). The proposed consolidation of service districts meets the requirements of N.C.G.S. 153A-304(a) and was properly noticed to all impacted property owners.
PLAN FOR SERVICES: Fire protection services (to include emergency medical and rescue) for the area affected by the merger of district boundaries will be provided by the Central Piedmont Fire Department by existing contracts with Guilford County. Funding for these services will come from the special service district tax levied on the newly created Central Piedmont Service District. Automatic aid and mutual aid will be provided by other fire departments under contract with Guilford County.
CHANGES IN TAXABLE PROPERTY: The properties of the existing Pleasant Garden Fire Protection Service District and the Climax Fire Protection Service District will be combined into a new district, named the Central Piedmont Fire Protection Service District. Both of the existing Fire Services Districts have an existing tax rate of .2149 per hundred dollars of valuation, so no adjustments are requested.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY DOLLARS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Conduct a public hearing and adopt the proposed resolution, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 153A-304, to allow the creation of the Central Piedmont Fire Protection Service District from the voluntary merger of the Pleasant Garden Fire Protection Service District and the Climax Fire Protection Service District, and adopt the fire insurance district to match under N.C.G.S. 153A-233, effective July 1, 2026.
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