In Henderson County, the opt-out period for the Dues On Tax Bills program is open. The three-year-old program is making a huge difference by helping to fund volunteer fire departments. County officials are encouraging more property owners to opt-in or donate in some way to support those volunteer emergency responders. The Dues On Tax Bills Program allows the county to assign an average value of $55 to every property’s tax bill. The money then goes to the county’s volunteer fire departments. Henderson County Judge-Executive Brad Schneider says their department’s contribution rate has gone from 25 percent to 75 percent. In the last three years, almost every county volunteer fire department has been able to replace either a tanker or a fire truck. They also have more financial resources than ever before. Schneider hopes even if property owners have to opt-out on payment for some of their properties, they’ll find a way to give back to the volunteer fire department in their district.