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Facts, Figures & Government Resources

from Hendersonville Magazine 2023-2024

from Hendersonville Magazine 2023-2024, page 143

Feather Your Nest

Here are some helpful facts, figures and government resources for Henderson County and its communities and some general information about the region.

HENDERSON COUNTY

828-697-4809 | HendersonCountyNC.gov

• Covers an approximately 380square-mile area

• Incorporated in 1838

• Encompasses five incorporated areas: the City of Hendersonville, the Village of Flat Rock, the Town of Fletcher, the Town of Laurel Park and the Town of Mills River. A portion of the City of Saluda also is in Henderson County.

• Governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners with a chairperson elected by the commissioners

• Employs a full-time county manager

• Ad valorem property tax is levied at rate of $0.5610 on each $100 of assessed valuation of taxable property, based on a listing date of Jan. 1, 2020.

• 12 county fire and rescue departments that are combination departments (paid/volunteer).

• Sheriff’s Office augmented by nearly 80 volunteers. Special department programs include home and personal safety presentations by District Captains, a citizens’ academy designed to educate the public about county law enforcement operations and a Community Notification System residents can sign up for to receive real-time alerts for localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories.

Hendersonville

828-697-3000 | HendersonvilleNC.gov

• Chartered in 1847

• Governed by a council/manager form of government

• General city tax of 52 cents per $100 of assessed valuation which pays for such services as streets, parks and fire and police protection

• Special downtown tax district with an additional 24 cents per $100 and special 7th Avenue tax district with an additional 17 cents per $100. These special taxes cover maintenance, beautification and event programs within those municipal service districts.

• The Hendersonville Fire Department operates consists of 51 full-time employees across three divisions: Emergency Operations, Administration and Life Safety. Members are NFPA-certified firefighters and emergency medical technicians broken into three engine companies and a ladder company with two reserve engines. In addition to putting out fires, members conduct inspections, provide emergency medical services, conduct fire investigations and provide life safety services and education. In 2023 the department was awarded a Public Protection Class 1 Rating which places them in the top 1% of fire departments nationwide. HFD aims to provide excellent customer service by minimizing risk to life, property, and the environment continued on page 18 while creating a strong bond with the community through public education and prevention.

• The Hendersonville Police Department operates within the city limits and includes a Patrol Services Division, a Criminal Investigation Division and a Support Services Division. Sixty-two full-time employees offer services such as patrol, 911 telecommunications, traffic safety team, school resource officers and more. The mission of the Hendersonville Police Department is to serve with excellence and be a leader in 21st century policing.

• The Water & Sewer Department provides water service to more than 32,000 homes and businesses and sewer service to more than 10,000 homes and businesses. Hendersonville Water & Sewer serves more than 72,000 people with water service and more than 21,000 people with sewer service.

• The City of Hendersonville is committed to providing quality, efficient services to all citizens, visitors and businesses through open communication, timely responses and quality results.

FLAT ROCK

828-697-8100 | VillageofFlatRock.org

• Incorporated in 1995

• Governed by a mayor/council form of government

• More than 100 volunteers assist in the operation of the village

• Ad valorem tax rate of 13 cents per $100 of assessed valuation

• Receives services from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, City of Hendersonville Water & Sewer Department and Henderson County

• Receives fire protection and emergency services from Blue Ridge Fire & Rescue, Valley Hill Fire & Rescue and Green River Fire & Rescue continued on page 20