Curtis Peters, chief of the Goldman Fire Protection District, said voters should approve a 25-cent increase on April 7 so “we can help them.”
If approved, the 25 cents would be phased in over three years beginning in 2016 with a 10-cent increase. The second year would be another 10-cent increase, and the third year would be a 5-cent increase.
The district is dealing with reduced revenue, rising costs and aging equipment, Peters said.
“We need this so we can make sure the equipment is working and in good condition, so that we can keep staff at the level it is now, and for the general support of the fire department,” he said.
The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay an additional $47.50 in annual taxes, once the full 25 cents has been levied.
If approved, the levy increase would bring in an additional $57,000 in the first year, $114,000 in the second year and $140,000 annually thereafter, depending on the assessed valuation of the district.
The Goldman Fire Protection District has an annual budget of $510,000 and serves 35 square miles in an area north of Hillsboro.
Fire Chief Curtis Peters said the increase is necessary because the district’s assessed value had gone down. The district is bringing in less money and operating costs are going up.
In addition, two vehicles – a pumper rescue and a pumper tanker – are more than 20 years old.
“They are going to have to be replaced or refurbished,” he said.
New trucks can cost between $300,000 and $900,000, depending on the type of truck purchased, Peters said.
Over the past several years, rising costs for personnel and equipment have depleted reserves and in 2014, the district had to borrow $45,000 for unexpected repairs, Peters said.
“The repairs were pretty expensive and our budget is so tight,” he said.
“Hopefully, with this increase we will be able to put money aside and build up our reserves,” Peters said. “We will be playing catch-up at first, though.”
If the levy increase is not approved, cuts will have to be made, Peters said.
“We won’t be able to provide services as we do now,” he said. “We’ll have to reduce repairs on equipment or possibly lay off one or two firefighters. This is just to keep us going.”
The Goldman Fire Protection District has seven full time employees, two part-time employees and 15 volunteers.