Fire services to be paid with fees, not taxes

Pike County property owners will now pay for firefighting services with a fee rather than a tax.The change brings Pike in line with how firefighting services are funded through most counties across the Southeast, said officials.The fees were approved by the Pike County commission Wednesday, June 10. The code establishes a county fire district and eliminates existing taxes for fire services. It instead establishes fees based on appraised value or square footage.Proceeds will be deposited in a special fund and used exclusively for operating fire departments.Fees for residential and commercial parcels will be based on appraised value. Those for industrial parcels will be based on square footage.