North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 128. Offices and Public Officers § 128-37.2. Continued membership for certain fire departments

(a) In order to participate in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System after October 1, 2015, the charter or articles of incorporation of fire departments must include a provision that provides that the governing body of the local government entity that holds the contract with the highest dollar value to the fire department for provision of fire services shall have the authority to remove from office up to fifty percent (50%) plus one member of the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the fire department. Before exercising this authority, the local government entity shall notify the affected fire department and give the fire department the opportunity to be heard in a public meeting. When any fire department board member is removed, the resulting vacancy shall be filled pursuant to the bylaws of the fire department.

(b) This section only applies to fire departments that commenced participation in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System between 1977 and 1992 pursuant to Chapter 316 of the Session Laws of 1977 and have contracts to provide fire protection to a city, county, or instrumentality of the State.