Chatham County residents will see a proposed increase in fire fees as the Commission moves to ensure sustainable funding for local fire services. During the June 27, 2025, meeting, officials discussed the challenges faced by the county's fire departments, particularly in unincorporated areas, and the steps taken to address these issues.

The Commission highlighted the financial struggles of Chatham Fire and Southside Fire, which were on the brink of insolvency due to insufficient subscription fees from residents. In response, the Commission mandated that all citizens be covered by some form of fire protection. However, even after implementing this requirement, the departments continued to struggle with revenue collection.

To stabilize operations, the county entered into an agreement with Chatham Fire to assist in fee collection and budget management. Ultimately, the Commission voted to acquire Shadow Fire, a move aimed at consolidating resources and improving service delivery.

Despite initial efforts to fund the fire department through a fire fee, a lawsuit deemed this fee an illegal tax, prompting the Commission to roll the fire department's funding into the Special Service District (SSD) millage. Last year, the county utilized reserves to support the fire department while establishing a new funding mechanism.

Now, the Commission is recommending a 2 mil increase in the SSD millage to ensure ongoing support for fire services. This decision underscores the Commission's commitment to transparency and fairness in funding essential services for all residents. As discussions continue, the community can expect further updates on the implementation of these changes and their impact on local fire protection.