MOORESVILLE — The fire departments of Mooresville and Brown Township are eyeing a merger, with hopes that they can see a massive boost to their budgets — mostly to pay for equipment and salaries. And where would the boost come from? A 30-percent hike to residents’ property taxes, with all additional money going toward the fire territory.
Members of the public got to ask questions about the proposed merger of the Mooresville and Brown Township fire departments during a public hearing on Jan. 30.
The hearing was a joint meeting with members of the Mooresville Town Council and Brown Township Advisory Board.
Paige Sansone from Baker Tilly, the town’s financial advisor, said a fire territory is “one of the very few ways townships, municipalities can get additional funding for fire services.”
“The No. 1 reason to establish a fire territory, right now at least, is to get additional funding for operating and capital,” Sansone said.
In 2026, Sansone noted unincorporated Brown Township’s tax rate would be an estimated $1.6597 without a fire territory, but that would increase to $2.1597 with a fire territory — an increase of 30.1 percent for taxpayers.
This means a property tax bill on a $100,000 home in Brown Township would increase from $370 without a territory to $462 with a fire territory.
A $200,000 home would see a property tax bill increase from $1,082 without a fire territory to $1,408 with a fire territory.
For Mooresville, the estimated tax rate in 2026 would be $1.8907 without a fire territory, which would increase to $2.5003 with a fire territory — an increase of 32.2 percent to their tax bill.
In the town, a $100,000 home’s property taxes would be about $422 without the fire territory, but would increase to about $558 with a fire territory.
For a $200,000 property, the property tax would increase from $1,233 to $1,630.
During the hearing, Brown Township Fire Chief Jeff Stout explained the need of the proposed fire territory is because of “increased costs.”
“Increased costs for everything,” Stout said. “The fire department, the gear, the SCBA packs, the overall expense, personnel and stuff like that — that stuff all costs money.”
He said a territory would allow township ambulance services to be staffed 24/7 and would allow for more coverage of 911 calls.
Stout also said there could potentially be a decrease in homeowners insurance due to a decrease in the township’s ISO rating — a rating based on response times from local fire departments.
A fire engine in 2019 cost about $650,000 while it now would cost more than $1 million, according to Stout.
He also noted that firefighter turnout gear has nearly doubled in the last six years and breathing apparatuses increased from about $6,800 to $11,000.
Mooresville’s fire department has lost 12 full-time firefighters in the last six years, while Brown Township has lost 18 in that same time period, according to Stout.
“Why did we lose them?” Stout said. “Because the salaries and pension base that other fire departments surrounding us is either $10,000 to $20,000 more.”
If the town and township create a fire territory, the combined department would be better able to staff, Stout contended.
But by and large, beyond a capital and operating increase, things would remain largely as they are.
“It’s virtually, pretty much going to stay where everything’s at for now,” said Brown Township Trustee Mark Harris. “Really no difference, other than the name change.”
Mooresville Town Council President Tom Warthen closed the meeting by encouraging the public to weigh in on the proposal. The town had prepared for a large crowd at the public hearing, but few showed up, beyond firefighters.
According to Warthen, the state does not allow such a proposal to be put to a vote in the form of a public referendum, so the opportunities for the public to weigh in are during public hearings.
“This is your referendum,” he said, hoping “this room would be filled.”
“We need the public’s input on this,” Warthen concluded. “If you don’t put your input in, don’t complain after the fact.”
The next joint public hearing between the Mooresville Town Council and Brown Township Advisory Board, which would give members of the public an opportunity to ask questions, is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Mooresville Government Center, 4 E. Harrison St. A final public hearing will occur at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, at the government center.
