Burnsville Fire Tax Rate Increase

It was recently reported at the monthly Burnsville Town council meeting that the Local Government Commission rejected the town’s plan to use $300,000 from its general fund to complete the funding needed to build the new Burnsville Fire Department.  The town and fire department have worked to trim the project from $2.4 million to $1,989,000. There is still an $80,000 funding gap. The town’s only option is to increase the fire tax rate. Mayor Theresa Coletta requested at the Yancey County Commissioner’s meeting on Monday night, October 14th that the county approve a small increase of half a cent in the Burnsville District so they can move forward with the building project. The county approved that increase, with a fire tax rate 8 cents on $100 tax evaluation, which would cover those who live in the Burnsville Fire District, but do not live in the town.