As a part of its budget approval process on Monday, Rowan County Commissioners passed the most widespread fire tax increase in the previous 15 years.

Commissioners approved a revenue-neutral increase for all county fire districts whose department didn’t request additional tax revenue. County Commissioners also capped other tax increase requests at 2.25 cents per $100. A large group of fire chiefs and personnel from county volunteer fire departments attended the meeting.

The fire tax increase was the second budget ordinance passed on Monday. Commissioners also approved nearly $138.5 million in expenditures from the general fund, which is the main source of revenue for county government’s operations.

Both budget ordinances passed unanimously. The fire tax ordinance, however, resulted in significantly more discussion among commissioners. Chairman Greg Edds said meetings occurred with multiple fire departments prior to Monday’s meeting to sort out differences over proposed tax increases. Commissioners had previously issued harsh criticism of some proposed increases — the largest was Locke Township at 3 cents per $100.

Only the East Landis and South Salisbury fire districts won’t receive tax increases as a result of the commissioner’s vote, making it the most widespread increase since the 2000 fiscal year. The second most widespread increase in the previous 15 years occurred in the 2012 fiscal year, when 11 of the 23 departments received an increase.

Four fire districts — Locke, Bostian Heights, South Rowan and Cleveland — exceeded the cap with their originally proposed rate. The South Rowan Fire District is covered by China Grove.

Six fire districts — East Gold Hill, Enochville, Franklin, Richfield-Misenheimer and Union — will receive will receive an increase of less than 1 cent per $100 as a result of the commissioners’ vote to give some departments a revenue neutral tax rate.

Multiple commissioners said county volunteer fire departments are gradually becoming full-time. Commissioner Craig Pierce mentioned the potential of county departments going full-time as a point of criticism.

“I think the public needs to know that these fire departments are gradually going to be full-time fire services and they’re going to tax you to do that,” Pierce said. “And, I don’t think that’s why I bought my house in the county. If I wanted that type of coverage, I would have bought in the city. They keep raising taxes on the citizens out here in the county to have their own little empire out here, and we can forget about everything we’re doing to make economic development happen.”

With tax increases capped, Locke Fire Department Chief Rusty Alexander said he would still be able to implement 24-hour coverage. Alexander said he wouldn’t be able to purchase much-needed, new fire equipment. As a result, he’ll have to double-up on the purchase of turn-out gear for his firefighters in the 2017 fiscal year, Alexander said.

“It’s better than nothing,” he said about the cap on fire tax increases.

To make the fire tax cap work, Alexander said he cut about $66,000 from his budget.

Each commissioner took a turn addressing the fire chiefs in attendance before voting to cap fire taxes. The vote to increase all departments who hadn’t requested an increase to a revenue neutral rate — tax revenues would be equal to the prior budget year — occurred quickly and without much discussion.

The county’s general fund expenditures also passed with little discussion. However, commissioners approved the addition of about $262,000 to County Manager Aaron Church’s proposed budget for the general fund. Additions to general fund expenditures include: a grant writer at $77,663, an additional allocation of $50,000 for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, a Senior Games Coordinator at about $39,000, new software for the animal shelter at $27,500 and $15,000 to extend hours at the animal shelter.

Additions will be paid for through the county’s fund balance, which partially functions as a savings account.

The Rowan-Salisbury School System is budgeted to receive the largest single amount of any agency or department at $35.44 million. The Sheriff’s Office is second at about $14.86 million.

For the first time ever, Rowan County Animal Control, which includes the shelter, is projected to have a budget that exceeds $1 million.

In other business from Monday’s meeting:

• Commissioners approved an ordinance change that would allow the sale of alcohol at West End Plaza during special events.

Pierce proposed the ordinance amendment. No commissioner talked extensively against the idea. Edds said allowing alcohol sales would help as commissioners look to make West End Plaza an “economic development machine.”

Pierce said the alcohol could be later become illegal on West End Plaza property as the county looks to put more departments at the facility.

Two people — Rowan County residents Larry Wright and Phyllis Sides — spoke against the change.

Commissioner Mike Caskey briefly questioned the proposal, asking about a final policy for alcohol sales. Church said a final policy would be available at the commissioners’ next meeting. An example of the policy, Church said, would be requiring event organizers to pay for security from sheriff’s deputies.

• Commissioners approved a contract with MSS Solution LLC, of Charlotte, to renovate the courthouse boiler system at a cost not to exceed $499,933.

It passed unanimously.

Although he voted for the proposal, Vice Chairman Jim Greene said he wished the contract could have been awarded to a local company.

• Commissioners approved a measure that would add Amesbury Drive and Hinsdale Avenue in Berkshire Hills in the Mt. Ulla area to the state secondary road system for maintenance.

• Commissioners gave RowanWorks Economic Development use of the former JC Penney building in the West End Plaza for a job fair.

• Commissioners approved the termination of its franchise ambulance services with Enochville Fire & Rescue Department with Rowan County effective immediately.

• Commissioners approved the extension of a contract with MV Transportation to provide transportation services for the Rowan Transit System.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.