Fire Fee

Fire Protection Fee Charge Inquiry/Review Fact Sheet

Fire Protection Fee Charge Review

A customer’s Fire Protection Fee Charge has been determined using the records from the McDuffie County Tax Assessor’s office and aerial photography where necessary. Using this data, the County has calculated the total square footage of the customer’s parcel as well as all improvements such as buildings, garages, outbuildings, etc. The County has determined that the fee for Fire Protection Service provided to parcels within the County shall be calculated as follows:  

Total Fire Protection Fee: Total fire protection fee per parcel is equal to the sum of the wildfire charge plus the structure charge (if applicable).

Wildfire Charge:  $3.12 per year, per acre of land

Minimum charge is $3.12 per year, per parcel
Maximum charge is $234.00 per year, per parcel

Structure Charge: $0.05 per year, per square foot of building space

Single family residential customers

Minimum charge per parcel is $50.00
Maximum charge per parcel is $200.00

Non-single family residential customers

Minimum charge per parcel is $200.00
Maximum charge per parcel is $5,000.00

All of the above fees are charged annually through the regular McDuffie County property tax bill.

If you believe that your Fire Protection Fee was calculated incorrectly, please complete the attached form to request a review of your fee and send it to:

McDuffie County Fire Protection Fee

Attn: Tax Commissioner’s Office

210 Railroad Street/Post Office Box 955

Thomson, GA 30824

Phone: 706-595-2132

Upon receipt of your request, we will review your property’s billing account data and conduct additional research (as necessary) to establish the correct parcel acreage and amount of building square footage and the resulting Fire Protection Fee. Your request for Fire Protection Fee Review includes your permission for County personnel to enter your property to verify and measure existing improvements. If you have been billed incorrectly, any fees received over the correct charge amount will be refunded. However, if we find that you have been under charged, your Fire Protection Fee will be adjusted accordingly, and you will be responsible for the additional amount. Please note that your Fire Protection Fee must be paid and current in order for a Fire Protection Fee review to be initiated by the County.  You may request information regarding this program from McDuffie County Tax Commissioner’s Office at 706-595-2132.