GREENVILLE, S.C. – Voters in Greenville County are set to make an important decision regarding fire safety in their area. They will vote on a bond intended to support projects for the Lake Cunningham Fire District.
On the ballot, there will be two key questions for voters. The first question involves a proposal to approve a bond worth $9 million, which would be paid back over 40 years. Fire officials estimate that homeowners would see an annual cost of about $28 for every $200,000 of their home’s value. The funds from this bond would be used to purchase new fire trucks and equipment for local fire stations.
Plans include building a new fire station on Highway 101 near Donahue Road. This station will replace the current Station 44, which is located near Blue Ridge High School on Pennington Road. Another station is proposed for Jordan Road near Mount Lebanon Road, which will also require a new fire engine, with an estimated cost of around $1 million.
The second question on the ballot pertains to adjusting the limit on the property tax millage rate. When the fire district was established in 1971, the millage cap was set at 15 mills, which officials believe is now too low for effective operation. Currently, the rate exceeds 43 mills, but increases must be approved by the County Council periodically. If voters approve this measure, the cap would rise to 75 mills, although it doesn’t mean taxes will immediately increase to that level. Instead, it aims to prevent the cap from dropping back to 15 mills. The fire district has also noted that state and federal laws limit how much they can increase their tax rate each year.
