Kenbridge Town Council reversed an earlier decision and decided to give one decal per household to those working with the fire department, rescue squad and police department.

The council decided during its Tuesday, Dec. 15 meeting to give a $20 credit on town personal property taxes for emergency workers living in Kenbridge. Mostly it was an acknowledgement of the sacrifices of the town’s volunteer responders. The members of the police department, though paid, were also included.

“I don’t have a problem with the police,” Mayor Emory Hodges said. “They do enough for us.”

Council members made it clear that no others – including themselves – were included.

In mid-November, council decided the town’s $20 license fee would appear on tax bills, meaning citizens would no longer have to come in and buy decals.

In adopting the change to the town ordinance, the council stuck with its decision to do away with the two-vehicle tax exemption for volunteer firefighters.

Some volunteer firefighters complained about losing the free decals, but council members insisted that dropping the exemption was only to simplify bookkeeping.

Hodges, however, at the most recent meeting noted if other localities can provide exemptions, Kenbridge will be able to do it too.