Baldwin County set to approve new volunteer fire department

BAY MINETTE, Al.
A new volunteer fire department serving residents in extreme northern Baldwin County is set for approval by the County Commission on Dec. 6.
The new department will join 36 others in the county that get $130,000 each annually in tax revenue.
Voters approved a 1.5-mill property tax in 1990 dedicated to paying for fire protection and training for the departments in the county. Officials said the Alabama Forestry Commission and Baldwin County Fire Chiefs Association had given their approval for the new department.
"People in north Baldwin have been paying the tax, but that area gets services from a Monroe County volunteer fire department across the line," said Commissioner Frank Burt. "Now they will have their own."
Under the law, the new department must earn an Insurance Service Office rating of 9 by Nov. 1, 2013, to keep their approval, officials said. The rating is determined by the non-profit organization that examines water system capacity, emergency communications systems and fire fighter training and response times. Better-performing departments get lower numerical ratings, which typically yield lower insurance rates for residents served.
The tax revenue is restricted by law for "acquisition of fire trucks, fire stations, fire equipment, communications, fire training, fire vehicle and station insurance, oil, gas, hydrants, utilities, and vehicle or station repair. Such funds shall not be used to pay salaries, purchase food and drink, or to hold fundraising projects."
Commissioners said the departments are not regularly audited, but when complaints arise, questions about spending go to the Alabama Attorney General or Baldwin County District Attorney for further action.
Baldwin County Revenue Commissioner Teddy Faust said the tax revenue is distributed to fire departments twice a month.