Membership and Dues Information

 

Pursuant to Ordinance 2012-30 Washington County, Arkansas, the Wedington Fire Department collects dues through the Washington County Tax Collector.  Wedington annually prepares a list for the Washington County Tax Collector reflecting dues owed so the Tax Collector may properly bill those annual dues.  You no longer pay your annual dues directly to the Fire Department.  Annual dues will be collected by the Washington County Tax Collector and remitted to the Fire Department.

Residence or Business on Your Property

If you own property in the Fire Department’s fire district and you have a residence or business on that property you will be billed $65 annual dues for each residence and/or business.  The determination of whether you have a residence or business on the property will be made from the Washington County real property records. The residence or business must be an occupiable structure at the time the annual dues are billed.

If you decide not to pay the Fire Department’s annual dues amount as reflected on your Washington County real property tax bill – you will be subject to a separate fire bill in the event the Fire Department responds to your residence or business as a result of a 911 call.

No Residence or Business on Your Property

If you own property in the Fire Department’s fire district and you do not have a residence or business on that property – you will not be billed annual dues.  Also, you will not be subject to a separate fire bill in the event the Fire Department responds to your property as a result of a 911 call.

Additional Information

According to the Arkansas Attorney General, as stated in Opinion No. 2002-224, the volunteer fire department dues collected through Washington County real property tax statements are neither assessments nor taxes.

If you have any questions about your annual dues amount, please contact the Washington County Tax Collector.

Pursuant to the Fire Department’s By-Laws, public schools, public churches, other public non-profit organizations and agricultural improvements are not required to pay annual dues.  Annual dues are waived for active fire fighters.

Membership

For the year 2016, the initial membership fee to join the Fire Department has been set to zero.

Dues

The amount is determined by the membership at the annual membership meeting. 2016 annual dues are $65.  Members are not charged for fire calls.