County Manager Don Adams advised the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that they should fund eight fulltime firefighters for the Sylva Fire Department.
SFD’s original request was for a 12 person department.
“The town of Sylva can choose to add additional personnel by adding town funds to its operations,” Adams said. “I believe this is about a $119,000 difference.”
On May 10 commissioners heard alternate proposals for staffing the department and details of the cost of each. The proposals laid out four plans for staffing SFD at eight, 10, 11, or 12 employees. Conversations focused on eight or 11 employees, each of which would cost taxpayers just over ½ cent more to finance.
In April, commissioners agreed to cover the increases and two requests by Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad by raising property taxes.