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Monitor Rural Fire Protection District Referred to the People by the District Board Five Year Local Option Tax For Purchase Of Firefighting Equipment Question: Shall the District impose $1.0793 per $1,000. of assessed value for vehicle and equipment purchases for five years beginning 2007-2008? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent. Summary: Revenue from this measure will allow The Monitor Rural Fire Protection District to purchase two new fire trucks, a rescue vehicle, and associated fire fighting equipment for assignment at each of our stations. Without this additional revenue the district will have to continue operation with vehicles approaching 30 years of age. The proposed rate will raise approximately $160,000 in 2007-2008, $165,600 in 2008-2009, $171,396 in 2009-2010, $177,395 in 2010-2011, and $183,604 in 2011-2012 for a total of $858,549. Explanatory Statement The Board of Directors of The Monitor Rural Fire Protection District is placing a “Local Option Levee’’ on the November ballot. If passed this levee will generate funds over a five year period to purchase new trucks and other much needed equipment. While the Board believes that our current operating budget is sufficient to continue providing service into the foreseeable future it is not sufficient to replace our aging fire engines, support vehicles, and associated firefighting equipment. For the past five years our district has benefitted from a number of Federal grants that have provided us with numerous training opportunities and equipment such as self contained breathing apparatus, modern radios, rescue equipment, and new protective clothing. While these grants have helped us maintain an effective department that continues to be able to respond to fires, medical calls, traffic accidents, and other emergency needs in our district the Board of Directors is aware that our fire engines are aging. Two years ago we bought a used engine and are considering buying a second similar engine but we recognize that these engines are a stop-gap measure as they are already 15 years old. The engines they replace, even though they are well maintained, are 30 years old. A Local Option Levee allows a district to tax itself to generate money for a specific need without any of that money being used to pay interest or fees as would be the case with a Bond. The rate we propose is $1.0793 per $1,000 of assessed value in addition to our current operating budget. Over it’s five year life the levee is expected to generate $858,549.00, an amount sufficient to buy and equip two new fire engines and a support vehicle with its tools and equipment. A yes vote on this Special Option Levee will allow your fire district to continue to provide reliable service to our community. Submitted by: Clark Hanson, Board Member Monitor Rural Fire Protection District No arguments in favor of or opposed to this measure were filed. |