The Orangeburg County Fire Commission Monday approved budgeting $2.4 million for the 2004- 2005 fiscal year.

The fiscal year budget, which begins July 1, totals $2,355,200, with about $1.2 million coming from administrative and capital project costs. The budget is up about $35,000 from the previous year.

The budget will now go to Orangeburg County Council for approval.

"This year we will ... have North coming in (to the district)," Orangeburg County Fire System Coordinator Gene Ball said. "North will be taxed for the first time inside the town limits this fall. Therefore, there will be some more tax money as a result of that, and what we are trying to do is budget our needs there."

Totals and the allocated accounts are: administration, $601,380; station operations, $467,650; debt service, $669,870, and fire capital projects, $616,300.

"Of course, our needs have greatly increased," Ball continued. "There are greater needs than is shown in the budget, but we can't spend more money than what is available."

Currently, the budget is set at 17 mills.

Of note, the monies allocated for buildings decreased about $70,000 as much of the district buildup has reached completion.

"We want to build a station for Norway and probably one substation," Ball said. "And possibly one renovation or expansion."

In other business:

-- The Fire Commission approved entering into a contract with North's F.E. Gaskins Jr. for the renovation of the Sawyerdale Fire Department at a cost of $24,847. The renovation will entail roughly 800 square feet of additional storage space for the department.

-- Commissioners approved a policy related to the district's grant fund match program. The policy entailed the purchase and transferal of district and fire department equipment.

-- Fire Advisory Board Chairman Jim Logan provided commissioners information related to the need to test air tanks throughout the district.

-- Ball reported that the Wolfton Fire Department is scheduled to undergo a fire rating inspection in September. The Rowesville Fire Department is currently in the process of preparing for an inspection as well.

-- Ball noted that fire department grant applications are due Friday, April 2 at 5 p.m.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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