DURHAM, N.C. -- As the city of Durham continues to grow, Deputy City Manager Bo Ferguson said there's been a growing need to better allocate fire and rescue resources to the south side.

• This week, Durham County commissioners voted to merge the county and city department
• The merger takes effect on July 1
• City and county officials say this merger will also save taxpayer money used for fire and rescue resources

"The lines between the city district and the county district have become really complicated," Ferguson said.

Ferguson said those lines between the City of Durham and Durham County have, at times, created confusion about which fire department responds to which situation. This week, Durham County commissioners voted to merge the county and city departments, eliminating that confusion.

The merger takes effect on July 1. Essentially, the City of Durham Fire Department is absorbing Durham County's Fire and Rescue Services. Durham County Government General Manager Jodi Miller said the move is also going to improve "insurance service office" or "ISO ratings" for those on the south side.

"The merger provided an opportunity to improve those ratings, which potentially decrease their insurance rates for those residents and businesses," Miller said.

Miller also said, by transferring to the city department, previous county fire and rescue personnel will have much more room for career growth. Both Miller and Ferguson said there's no down side, whatsoever, for everyone involved in this merger.

City and county officials say this merger will also save taxpayer money used for fire and rescue resources.