DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Volunteer fire departments will now have to be eligible in order to receive funding from the county.

Houston County Commission Chairman, Mark Culver, said this move is not to make it difficult for volunteer fire departments to receive funds. Yet, it will help provide guidelines for the present and future.

“We want to be sure that anyone that needs to correct the issue has the time to do it. We’re not trying to create any new burdens or any new hurdles for them to jump over all of this was already in place. We just need to be sure that the funds that we have go to eligible departments so that’s what we’re doing,” Culver said.

The move is expected to go into effect on October 1st.