May 20, 2026
The Board of Directors of the St. James Fire Department, Inc. is recommending an increase in the annual Fire Fee rates for the Department’s Rural Fire District (see map below) beginning July 2026. NC statutes authorized Fire Fees for Brunswick County in
1999, and the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners sets the rates for all County Rural Fire Districts. The proposed increase will generate $27,678 across all our RFD property categories. The average increase for residential properties will be $52.00 per
year.
Importantly, this is only the second Fire Fee increase in more than 25 years. During that time, our all-volunteer Department continued to expand services while managing rising operational costs, increased call volume, apparatus expenses, insurance, fuel, and emergency response demands. Fire Fee rates in our Rural Fire District are well below today’s maximum allowable rates and the recommended increase will not reach those top limits.
This adjustment is necessary to help maintain the excellent level of fire protection, emergency medical response, equipment readiness, training, and staffing that our growing community expects and deserves. Our Board remains committed to responsible financial stewardship while ensuring that the St. James Fire Department continues to provide reliable, professional emergency services to all our service area residents and visitors. We appreciate your continued support of our Department and thank you for your commitment to keeping our entire community safe.
St. James Fire Department Board of Directors
