Bethany Fuller | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | Sept. 19, 2007

The Iredell County Board of Commissioners allotted nearly $500,000 to a volunteer fire department for new equipment Tuesday evening and decided to move Penske Racing’s public hearing.

Commissioners gave Ebenezer Volunteer Fire Department the go-ahead to use $464,830 to purchase the necessary equipment to lower its insurance rating from a split 6/9.

“We are hoping for straight 6’s,” said Frank Phillips, a member of the Fire Tax Board.

By lowering its rating to straight 6s, the volunteer fire department hopes to save homeowners in the area a total of more than $926,000 in annual insurance premiums.

The volunteer fire department expects to be inspected by the N.C. Department of Insurance in 2008 to re-evaluate its rating.

Iredell County Fire Marshal Lloyd Ramsey said four departments, including Trinity, will be inspected in 2008.

“After the rerating everyone will be at least a split,” said Carroll Goodman, chairman of the fire tax board.

The $464,830 is from the new one-cent fire tax commissioners approved in the 2007-08 fiscal year budget.

Commissioners expected two fire departments to use funds from the one-cent tax, which raises $838,000. Commissioners approved $377,000 for Trinity Volunteer Fire Department at their Aug. 21 meeting.

Commissioner Godfrey Williams said this year’s inspections will help other fire departments prepare for their inspections.

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