Fayetteville officials told Cumberland County commissioners on Thursday that the county could face issues with its parking spaces when games are played at the new downtown baseball stadium.

The county has more than 1,400 parking spaces in the downtown area, including nearly 900 at the courthouse. Many of the spaces could be used by baseball fans who would rather walk than pay to park.

Kristoff Bauer, Fayetteville’s deputy city manager, talked to commissioners about the parking issue at their meeting. He said the City Council was making some changes that might impact the county’s parking spaces.

Bauer said more than 100 events are planned in the downtown area this year, including 70 baseball games. Most events are not during normal business hours, but some are, he said.

A parking study showed that there are plenty of parking spaces around the new Segra baseball stadium, but some people might be willing to walk rather than paying to park, Bauer said.

The city plans to charge $10 for parking in city-owned lots during baseball games and some other events. Parking on the streets is free now, but city officials plan to start charging for parking there later this year, Bauer said.

Commissioner Jimmy Keefe said commissioners need to think about the impact.

“People are willing to walk a long way for free parking,” he said.

Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jeannette Council told Bauer that the commissioners appreciate he and other city officials letting the county know about the potential parking issues.

“That’s a work in progress,” she said. “We’ll look at it later.”

In other action at Thursday’s meeting, commissioners heard a presentation about a proposal that would increase funding to fire departments by raising taxes in fire districts by 3.75 cents per $100 in property. The increase, which would raise the fire tax to 15 cents per $100 in property, only applies to areas that are not in the city or towns.

If approved, the increase would take effect in July and require the owner of a $150,000 house to pay an additional $56.25 in taxes on the dwelling each year.

The fire service funding model includes baseline funding for each of the 15 fire departments, supplemental funds in four areas, a performance incentive initiative and a grant program. Each department would have control of money that comes from 10 cents of the tax revenue, with the rest of the funds going to the other programs.

The supplemental programs would give additional funding to county fire departments in low wealth areas; offset the cost of providing emergency medical services; provide more funds to departments with more than one station; and provide additional funds to the ones that provide specialized extrication rescue services.

The performance incentive would be based on the ratings departments get for their ability to protect their communities. Details of how the grant program would work have not been determined.

Staff writer Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3572.