McLeansville Fire Department 2026-27 Budget; Why a tax rate increase is needed

June 2026

Dear Residents of the McLeansville Fire District,

We want to take a moment to speak directly with you — the residents and property owners we serve every day — about our department’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 and what it means for your fire protection services and your tax bill.

Important Notice: A Tax Rate Increase Is Coming

The McLeansville Fire Department Board of Directors proposed a FY 2026–2027 budget of $2,829,000 to Guilford County — a plan that would have funded critical improvements to your fire protection without raising your current tax rate as part of the reevaluation year and new property values. Unfortunately, the State has imposed a moratorium on re-evaluation values which directly affects the fire departments in Guilford County. For McLeansville Fire District this means your fire district will now face a 6.24 cent tax rate increase to sustain basic emergency services. We want to explain why this is happening, what it means to you, and what we are doing about it.

Why We Need This Budget

Rising Equipment Costs

The cost of emergency equipment has skyrocketed. A standard fire engine that cost $600,000 in 2019 now costs $1,200,000 — a 100% increase in just seven years. Budgets that don’t reflect today’s prices leave your department unable to replace aging trucks and gear when lives depend on it.

Keeping Firefighters on the Job

Recruiting and retaining qualified firefighters is one of the biggest challenges facing departments across the country. Right now, McLFD’s starting salary is $41,000 — well below the county average of $47,000. This budget proposes raising starting pay to $45,000 immediately, with a path to $49,000 by 2031, keeping McLFD competitive with neighboring agencies.

We are also modernizing our shift schedule — moving from a 56-hour workweek to a 42-hour workweek — bringing us in line with Guilford County EMS, the Sheriff’s Office, and 911 Communications. This change reduces firefighter burnout and requires five additional positions to maintain full coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Annexation Is Shrinking Our Tax Base

As municipal water and sewer lines expand, developed properties are increasingly annexed into the City of Greensboro — removing them from our fire district and reducing our tax base. This shift places a growing financial burden on the rural residents who remain. The 43% revaluation increase is not a windfall; it is a necessary correction after years of constrained revenue growth.

A Track Record of Fiscal Responsibility

We understand that every dollar of public spending must be justified. Here is our recent history:

• FY 2023–2024: Implemented a 12.9% budget reduction following new leadership.
• FY 2024–2025: Absorbed an additional 0.7% operational reduction.
• The tax rate was adjusted only once in recent years, strictly to offset revenue shortfalls and meet growing service demands — not to expand administration or perks.

We have tightened our belt. Now we need the resources to keep your community safe.

Why the Moratorium Budget Causes a Tax Increase

Because the State and County has imposed a moratorium on property values, the McLeansville Fire District cannot sustain operations at current service levels without a tax rate adjustment. Here is what the numbers show:

• The moratorium budget directly results in a 6.24 cent tax rate increase for residents in the McLeansville Fire District.
• The original proposed budget — which would have avoided this increase with new property values — was not approved due to the moratorium constraint.
• Without adequate funding, the risk of future tax increases grows as deferred costs — equipment replacement, staffing, and operations — continue to accumulate.

This tax increase is a direct consequence of the moratorium budget — not a choice made by your fire department. The Board of Directors continues to advocate for a fully funded budget to provide the best service possible to the citizens of McLeansville Fire District.

Our Commitment to You

The McLeansville Fire Department’s proposed budget is designed to:

• Modernize our operations and workforce scheduling
• Ensure competitive pay to recruit and keep qualified firefighters
• Maintain and improve the emergency services you count on
• Continue advocating for full funding to prevent further tax rate increases

If you have questions, concerns, or wish to make your voice heard, we encourage you to attend a Board of Commissioners meetings or reach out to us directly.

Thank you for your continued trust in McLeansville Fire Department. We are honored to serve this community.

Respectfully,

Tommy Gregory

Fire Chief, McLeansville Volunteer Fire Department

(336) 698-0241  |  www.mclfd.org