By By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
Dec. 20, 2001
Lauderdale County residents in the southeastern area could see a significant drop in their homeowner's insurance costs by January, according to Lauderdale County officials.
Fire Coordinator Clarence Butler told the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors that the Southeast area of the county could receive a class 8 fire rating by the end of the month. The new rating could confirm better fire protection services.
Butler said the Mississippi State Fire Rating Bureau will be grading the combined stations of Causeyville, Vimville and Whynot by the end of this month. Those departments are currently class 10, and Butler said he hopes it will get the class 8 rating.
About 1,500 residents are served in the area of southeast Lauderdale County and their insurance rates could drop if the departments are able to get the higher rating.
District 5 Supervisor Ray Boswell, who represents the area, said the rating has been long awaited.
Boswell said homeowners could see up to a 50 percent decrease in their homeowner insurance policies if the area gets the rating change.
Boswell credited Billy Barrett of the Toomsuba Volunteer Fire Department for spearheading a project in the early 1990s to help volunteer firefighters more efficiently shuttle water with their fire trucks and pumpers. The departments pump the water from nearby lakes.
Boswell also credited Butler.
Fredie Carmichael is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3228, or e-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.