Union County commissioners passed a budget that keeps all departments and non-profit agencies funded at the same level as last year, including fire departments.
Last week, commissioners discussed the possibility of cutting each department in order to add to its debt services, and at least one fire chief was concerned they would have to shut down their departments altogether.
But the commission decided to maintain funding, and that comes as a huge relief to firefighters.
"At this time we have enough to pay our insurance, pay our utilities, however we still can't update any of our equipment like it needs to be. That's why we asked all the citizens for a donation. Every little bit helps," said Joey McBee, chief of the Luttrell County Fire Department.
Chief Joey McBee says a cut would have amounted to thousands of lost dollars for the county fire departments.