Residents in South Madison Fire District could realize reduction in insurance
Some residents in Madison County could soon see their insurance costs drop, as the South Madison Fire District is working to annex three adjacent areas to provide fire protection service.
The district filed a petition before the Madison County board of supervisors to annex three additional areas, which are located within the county and are not situated within corporate boundaries of any existing municipality.
The board of supervisors voted to set a public hearing for the issue at 9 a.m. on December 12.
For much of the area proposed to be added, there is no corporate fire protection available. However, the area continues to become more populated because of increased development.
Part of the proposed annexed territory is presently being served with fire protection service by the city of Madison, but the area lies outside of the city’s corporate limits.
The city of Madison does not object to the proposed annexation, according to attorney John Scanlon.
The district’s rating recently went from a seven to a six. The rating comes from the Insurance Services Office using the Public Protection Classification system.
Ratings are given from one, which is the best, to 10, which is the worst.
The rating is based on several factors, including fire equipment, manpower and water supply. So, residents will benefit by having reduced insurance rates.
“The improvement of the fire district would extend to them,” Scanlon said. “They will get a variety of services and a decrease in insurance cost.”
The district is working on building a third station.
“Because of growth in the area, there is a need to provide services to residents in the area,” Scanlon said. “It’s coming at a time when the area is on the grow.”
Scanlon said this could mean there will be a need for additional personnel, but not because of the annexation specifically.
To file the petition, 27 signatures were needed. The state statute requires 25 signatures of people living in the area.
But they also had to get the signature of the person who circulated the petition and the signature of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, as they own tracts of land with 160 acres or more.
Scanlon said there has not been any opposition to the annexation so far. Residents will have the chance to voice any concerns or questions at the public hearing.
