Montgomery County has a current estimated population of approximately 101,200 residents.
According to long-term projections by the UVA Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the county’s steady growth is expected to continue over the coming decades. The 2030 projection is for 105,300 residents with that number growing to as high as 127,000 by the Year 2050.
With the continued growth, a recent assessment shows the county will need to address the need for more services like fire and rescue.
A 10-month, 359-page study conducted by MissionCIT, shows the county and its towns will need additional staffing as the population increases. The study says the underlying part of all of this is the dwindling number of volunteers.
Frank Edwards, MissionCIT’s senior director, last week told the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors a shrinking volunteer workforce necessitates professional staffing to maintain service levels.
The report includes strategic recommendations for improving the current volunteer-career model and overall service effectiveness, possible hiring an individual to handle the future recruitment.
Edwards said the study emphasizes the importance of expanding fire and EMS infrastructure to meet future demands.
“The county must consider the needs versus what is currently in place,” Edwards said.
The study also suggested the county and surrounding towns look into a “fire levy,” which would provide monies for future fire and EMS needs.
The Code of Virginia does allow for such zones or districts. Sec. 27-23.1 says: “The governing bodies of the several cities and counties of the Commonwealth may create and establish….To raise funds for the purposes, any city or county in which such zones or districts are established may levy annually a tax on the assessed value of all property real and personal.” The code further states that in these localities having a population between 20,000 and 25,000, the maximum rate of tax under this section shall be 30 cents on $100 of assessed value.
Some fire levies also deal directly with insurance companies. Supervisors admitted this was something to look further into as they progress through the study.
Another recommendation included the hiring of both a county fire marshal and fire inspector. Currently, Montgomery County depends on the state marshal’s office to inspect buildings and homes. Both towns, Christiansburg and Blacksburg, currently have their own fire marshal/inspector.
The study also recommends building as many as three more fire/rescue stations in the county. Edwards said the three locations were Peppers Ferry Road, Radford Road, and Roanoke Street.
All three jurisdictions will discuss the study further at work sessions.