Firefighters and EMS Fund is sharing 5 ballot measures from around the country we are keeping an eye on- from tax renewals to the relocation of fire stations; here are some of the measures local fire departments are putting before voters this November 7th:
The Township of Liberty needs to renew its levy of 5.6 mills to keep fire and EMS services at current levels of protection. It is estimated by the Township Auditor that the levy will generate $9,357,000 annually, costing the owner of a home valued at $300,000, approximately $471 per year.
“The levy is a huge chunk of our operations, from paying firefighters, maintaining fire apparatus, all of the EMS equipment that we use,” Liberty Township Fire Chief James Reardon told the local press.
The Cornelius Fire Department has requested city leadership place measure 34-325 on the ballot which would provide a significant and much needed increase in resources for the department. Currently, Cornelius residents pay $0.49 per $1,000 of property valuation, the increase would bring that amount to $1.49 per $1,000 of home value- generating $7.79 million over 5 years.
The Mayor of Cornelius stated that a substantial increase in staffing was needed for the sake of residents’ safety. The Mayor went on to explain that call volumes for the town have grown so much that leadership is worried the firefighters currently on staff are becoming burnt out.
The boost in resources is expected to reduce response times, allow for the hiring of three new firefighters and four student interns, replace aging apparatus, and allow for improvements to the Cornelius Public Safety Building.
The fire department in Dexter is in need of a new fire station. The Dexter Fire Department is fortunate enough to have a member of the department sit on the City Council. Firefighter Moorehouse stated that the fire station currently in use is being outgrown after serving the city for more than 40 years- and before that serving as a local hospital.
“This is the first time the fire department’s ever asked for anything large like this from the city, from the residents. Construction of buildings like this today is so expensive. Fundraising efforts just don’t just aren’t enough really, to be able to provide for something like this,” Firefighter Moorehouse said.
Property taxes are expected to climb 4% following approval of the 20-year bond.
Voters will be asked to cast their ballots for two separate measures on November 7th.
Measure A which, if successful, will create a stand-alone Shasta Fire Department and a fire prevention district.
Measure B, will assess a special parcel tax which would help fund the creation of the district proposed in Measure A.
The interim Fire Chief in Shasta has stated the reason for the creation of the fire district is increased local control over this essential service.
Measure W would move the Scotts Valley Fire Department’s HQ to a 1.49 acre lot purchased for the construction of a new building back in 2002. A ⅔ majority is required for the measure to pass, and will cost residents approximately $175 per $100,000 of home valuation, or about $525 per year for a home valued at $300,000.
Voters have been asked to fund the construction of this new fire station by approving a bond valued at $22.2 million.
Do you know of a ballot measure in your home town that could use a boost in public support? Email Executive Director, Jane Porter at info@fireandemsfund.com.
