Gesslein said that the cap would require a one cent reduction in the tax rate if commissioners choose not to override it.  But he warned that the district won't have funds for future purchases if it can't maintain reserves at a sustainable level.  He estimated the drop in the tax levy will cost the budget $20,000 if the cap is not overridden.

"I can find a place to squeeze it out of if you want to keep to the tax cap," he said.  "My major concern is that we've got some very big apparatus purchases coming up, and I need to know whether to keep them on the capital plan schedule, or change that schedule.  Because we have got to have enough money to pay for these things, rather than go out and borrow."

Gesslein noted that the district's capital equipment plan calls for new fire trucks over the next four or five years.  He said that if the commissioners want to keep to that replacement schedule they will be forced to override the cap.

Fire Commission Chair Robert Wagner pointed out that with the cost of trucks going up about 5% per year, the cost of fire apparatus doubles over the lifetime the Lansing department keeps its equipment.  That math turns out to be conservative - last September Deputy Chief Brad George said he expects to begin working out the specifications for a new heavy rescue truck to replace the 20 year old apparatus the department currently uses.  He said it would cost at least $1.3 million plus about $250,000 of tools it will carry.

Snow Hill Rural Fire Department Battalion Chief Todd Whaley says, "A lot of times people don't realize how much it takes to run a fire department and when you can donate small things like water, it really hits home and it really makes us feel appreciated and thanked."

Shine Fire and EMS Chief Jeremy Anderson says, "Every little bit helps and you know, a three dollar case of water can help us out tremendously."

Anderson says they keep cold water bottles on every engine because firefighters can lose nearly two percent of their body weight while fighting a fire.

They can go through several cases a week, depending on how big the fire and high the temperatures.

Anderson says, "If you're going to replace that body weight they recommend that you drink about 70 ounces of water after every firefighting event, so that's five or six bottles of water per firefighter."

And with a tight budget, those cases can add up.