Paulding Fire/Rescue Facing Deficit

is looking at the possibility of closing fire stations and laying off employees if the fire/rescue millage rate isn't increased in the next year.

Matthew Chambers, chairman of the Paulding County Fire/Rescue Advisory Board, told the during its work session Tuesday that the millage rate will need to be increased from 2 mills to 3 mills in order to continue paying the bills. This is due to a continuing decrease in property taxes. Property taxes have fallen 43 percent this year, Commission Chairman David Austin said.

"We've held it at 2 mills," Commissioner Todd Pownall said. "Now, really, the only reason we're talking about this is the decrease in property values. That's really it."

The county has three options at this point—keep the millage rate the same and possibly have to cut staff and close stations; add 1 mill, which will bring in enough revenue to cover expenditures; or roll back any millage rate increase to fiscal year 2014.

"This option would most likely incur a substantial millage rate in 2014 to prevent any of these shortfalls," Chambers said.

There are improvements to fire stations planned—including the construction of new stations—that will be funded through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, but staffing those stations falls under the fire tax, which was approved by voters in 2006. That's what's running dry.

"I can build the stations, but I can't staff them," Fire Chief Michael Earwood said.

The board also discussed the expected issuance of bonds for the . An intergovernmental agreement up for a vote at the board's business meeting at 7 p.m. puts the county in the position of backing the bonds and being responsible for some financing should revenues dry up. However, that isn't expected since WellStar's financial well-being is among the top in the nation, Austin said.

"We know that their bond rating is quite high, and that's one of the reasons you all chose to enter into this agreement," County Attorney Jayson Phillips said.

Bonds will be sold on June 13 in increments of $5,000.