Highlands Fire and Rescue’s Chief Ryan Gearhart presented a proposed fire tax increase for the Highlands Fire district at a public information session on Tuesday, March 31.
The fire department’s current budget is $1,915,500, and the current fire tax rate, which generates $1,155,073 at 99.27%, does not cover the full amount. In order to provide high quality coverage to property structures valued at $6,091,978,570 and maintain a low ISO rating to retain low fire insurance premiums, Chief Gearhart requested an increase to the fire tax rate from .0191 to .0441, which at a 99.27% collection rate would yield $2,666,950.
Highlands currently has the lowest fire tax rate in Macon County, but also has the highest estimated valuation.
Gearhart also sought the addition of a new truck loan costing $200,000 and three firemen totaling $300,000. This would increase the budget to $2,415,000 in addition to any increases to salaries or insurance.
The request comes at a time when calls for service continue to increase. Gearhart said calls have risen by 68.33% since 2020.
“In 2020, people started realizing that they could stay in Highlands at their second home and they could work from there,” said Gearhart. “So, we’re retaining more people year-round and I feel like more people means more calls.”
In 2025, HF&R responded to 946 calls, 154 of which were overlapping, meaning they received a second call while responding to an initial one. The increase in call volume, combined with these overlapping incidents, has created a need for a third firefighter per shift to cover the station while two others respond. The additional firefighter would also be available to deploy a second fire apparatus quicker if a second call arrives.
Gearhart said the need for a third firefighter per shift is also driven by the decrease in volunteer response, a nationwide issue he attributed to time constraints related to family, business and daily life.
“It’s not just Macon County, it’s a nationwide issue,” said Gearhart. “You can get Firehouse Magazine, and I can promise you every magazine, every month, will say something about volunteer response declining.”
HF&R anticipates the need to replace several trucks in the coming years. For the time being, Gearhart said they want to replace their two front line engines, which are 2004 and 2006 models. The National Fire Protection Association recommends replacement of fire apparatus from front life to reserve after 15 years and out of service after 25 years.
Macon County Commissioner John Shearl was present at the meeting and shared thoughts on the proposal.
“I’m concerned, as a whole county, with where we are in fire service,” said Shearl. “Even if you add the third person, I don’t see that being the answer to the problem. It’s going to take more than that.”
Shearl said in the county’s decision-making process, officials will review service fees, existing fire service revenue from taxpayers, and the projected cost for a taxpayer-funded, fully-paid fire service countywide. He said the county is heading towards a fully-paid fire service and added that he would prioritize hiring firefighters over purchasing new equipment.
“You can have the most beautiful engine out there in the world with nobody to run it,” said Shearl.
Towards the end of the session, Gearhart reiterated that HF&R wants a new fire engine, as the 2004 model did malfunction when responding to a prior fire call. He noted that everything that the fire service utilizes has an expiration date.
“My fear is — and a brand new one can do it too — for these guys to be in a building that’s burning and that truck lay down,” said Gearhart.
He said they will look to purchase a stock truck for the first replacement and a custom truck that will fit their needs for the second. Current pricing on a new fire engine varies anywhere from $500,000 to $800,000.
For the proposal to be approved, it must undergo review by HF&R during budget discussions, town commissioners and finally Macon County commissioners.
- Mitch Stone
reporter@highlandsnews.com