PENDER COUNTY — The plan for a neighboring county to execute its merger with an emergency management services nonprofit is coming into clearer focus.
READ MORE: Pender’s draft EMS and Fire merger plan faces commissioner scrutiny
ALSO: Pender County and EMS meet as attorney flags issues with merger plans
Monday, Pender County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 (Brad George and Jimmy Tate dissenting) on how to proceed with the county’s services consolidation plan with Pender EMS and Fire. The plan now brings in two other fire departments, but excludes Rocky Point Fire Department from the integrated county system. The plan also aims to maintain staffing levels and equipment standards across fire stations, work towards faster response times, and address the needs of underserved areas within the county.
According to Chair Randy Burton, Pender has explored consolidating Pender EMS and Fire for more than two decades, aiming to streamline operations, standardize services, and integrate its employees into the county system for improved benefits.
“The employees of EMS and Fire and the citizens deserve this to happen,” Burton said to Port City Daily Tuesday. “I made it one of my campaign points of interest to do and I’m not one to just kick the can and tell somebody what they want to hear and just move on down the road. When I want to do something, I’m going to do it right now.”
The goal is to have the merger completed by July 1, 2026
Previous Port City Daily reporting documented ongoing complexities, including debates over financial impacts, service levels, and the integration of existing volunteer and paid staff across different districts.
There are nine fire departments in total in the county, but the plan is only bringing in three. The remaining departments, such as those serving Surf City and Burgaw, operate within their respective municipalities and are not part of this county-wide consolidation effort
Commissioners were presented with two options on how to move forward. One includes integrating Pender EMS and Fire, Penderlea, Maple Hill, and Rocky Point fire departments. The other excludes the Rocky Point Fire Department due to concerns over local government retirement system regulations and cutting costs. Penderlea and Maple Hill fire departments were not excluded in the plan as they have existing relationships with Pender EMS and Fire, which already funds full-time positions within those departments.
The financial breakdown of each option is:
A: All Departments Included
- Annually Recurring Personnel Costs: $2.6 million
- Debts and Leases: $12.7 million
- Asset Costs: $436,000 (rebranding and IT hardware)
- Annually Recurring Operational Costs: $441,460 (mowing, internet, licensing)
B: Without Rocky Point Fire Department
- Annually Recurring Personnel Costs : $1.8 million
- Debts and Leases: $11.97 million
- Asset Costs: $395,000
- Annually Recurring Operational Costs: $411,460
Commissioners chose the latter, since it will save the county about $1.5 million for the first year and roughly $830,000 annually thereafter in recurring expenses. Despite potential savings, the merger plan would still cost the county approximately $14.5 million.
Some elected officials were compelled by Rocky Point Fire Chief Mike Stophel asking to remain independent.
“I have 49 folks behind me that depend on Rocky Point to feed their families,” Stophel said. “Many of them, I believe it’s probably 10 to 12 that currently work for Pender Fire and EMS … will not be able to volunteer or be able to work part time.”
Rocky Point Fire Department has operated independently in Pender County since 1974 and currently employs around 57 individuals — 33 volunteers, 49 paid part-time, some double-counted. It uses its own tax revenue for part-time salaries, though the department has historically been run by volunteers, with the addition of part-timers becoming part of its staffing model over time.
Adding Rocky Point’s staff to the county system would mean that part-time employees also holding full-time government jobs could no longer work both, due to local government retirement system regulations. The rules prohibit individuals from simultaneously holding full-time government jobs and also accruing retirement benefits from another governmental part-time position.
When asked by Commissioner Brent Springer about his department’s long-term viability if they were excluded from the merger, Stophel responded: “As long as people are willing to work, I’ll be there as long as you let me.”
George, who opposed leaving Rocky Point FD out, cited concerns about RPFD’s staffing during emergencies, referencing the department being undersourced during Hurricane Florence. Chief Stophel confirmed many of his staff come from other governmental fire departments and had to work their full-time jobs during the hurricane.
George contended its omission from the merger would be a “disservice” to residents by risking understaffing during future emergencies. If Rocky Point FD was included under the merger, George believed its residents would be better served and staffing levels would be more secure under the unified county system.
Stophel respectfully disagreed.
George, a consistent opponent since the board’s initial approval of the merger in March, also voiced broader concerns about the rapid pace of the consolidation.
“I don’t disagree that it may need to happen one day,” George stated. “In my opinion, I don’t think it needs to happen at the rate that it’s going now. A phased approach would have been a much easier pill to swallow.”
Commissioner Tate echoed George’s frustration, questioning the continued discussion surrounding the EMS and Fire consolidation.
“When are we going to come here and talk about moving the county forward?” Tate asked. “I don’t know about y’all, I get more calls on everything else besides this … Let’s vote on it, move forward, and let’s go on and do other people’s business.”
Interim County Manager Meg Blue pointed out the final decision on the plan isn’t technically required until next summer, but Burton stressed the board’s vote at the meeting was about moving forward with the previously approved Fire and EMS acquisition plan.
George, however, maintained the merger could still be halted — “with a motion and a second and three votes to just end it all.”
During public comment, resident Kay Warner was concerned over few details given so far. She emphasized the importance of direct engagement with the community regarding the merger.
“I would recommend you hold meetings with all of those that are potentially affected, get their concerns, answer their questions, and then hold community meetings and educate the public,” Warner said. “You do not have the right to pass a plan that potentially affects every Pender County Citizen without giving them an opportunity to learn about this merger and voice their concerns.”
Pender County staff plan to hold public town hall meetings between February and April 2026. The meetings will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and express concerns about emergency services in their respective districts. Public hearings may also be held for any changes to fire or tax districts resulting from the merger.
Resident Frankie Saunders also weighed in, expressing a weariness with ongoing county disputes. She specifically referenced two contentious recent commissioner decisions: the Pender EMS and Fire merger, and the April vote to change the publication for legal advertisements from the Pender Post and Topsail Voice to the Wilmington StarNews.
“We can’t live in this world by ourselves, folks — we gotta work it out,” Saunders said. “Let’s just get it together and work with it, with the Pender EMS and with the paper. We’re just fed up with the squabble crap. We’re all grown ups. Just deal with it and get on.”
Saunders further articulated a feeling of disconnect between the commissioners and the public.
“It’s like we voted for you guys, but you guys have, like, you’ve left us,” Saunders said. “You’re not caring about the people of Pender County, the very people who voted you guys in here. They’re all happy with what Pender EMS was doing, but now it’s going to cost us more. People were happy with the way it was.”
Have tips or suggestions for Charlie Fossen? Email charlie@localdailymedia.com
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