Three ballot questions facing some McLean County voters would raise taxes in the Dale Township Fire Protection District to avoid staffing cuts, according to the fire chief.
Chief Ryan Gibson said all three passing would equal about $133 more in taxes based on a $100,000 valuation. So, the owner of a $250,000 home, which is near the average value of a home in McLean County, would pay about $330 more a year.
The district covers 36.4 square miles in rural southwestern McLean County.
“South of Route 9, down to about a mile south of Shirley, and then we go all the way to the 600 East to the west side and then we go all the way up to roughly in the area of Oakland Avenue,” Gibson said.
Gibson said the ballot questions aiming to increase the department’s revenue will address its own rising costs. If the questions do not pass, he said working hours would reflect that.
“We’re going to have to probably cut hours just so we can still operate and maintain equipment and other things that comes out of the budgets,” he said. “I don’t want to do any cuts, which is why we’re asking for this money. However, we’re going to have to change the way we operate if this does not pass.”
He said he understands costs are rising for everyone, but the fire district is providing a lifesaving service.
“It’s hard to get by nowadays, which is why we’re asking for this referendum and giving them the option if they want to pay more or not,” Gibson said. “Most people have been very receptive to this and in support of it … I understand both sides.”
The staff sits at 19, a combination of part-time paid and volunteer members. That includes four paramedics and eight emergency medical technicians [EMTs].
He said the last five or so years he has had the most difficulty maintaining staff. Today, the department has no full-time workers. Volunteers staff evenings and overnights.
Gibson said the department takes more ambulance than fire calls, about 85-90% of the load. So, that is where hours would probably be cut first.
Questions raising the tax rate
Gibson said, in short, the tax increase is to address rising costs. The first question asks if the maximum allowable corporate tax rate should be raised from 0.30% to 0.40% of the value of all taxable property.
“It’s considered our general fund. It is the budget for the fire protection district that helps us basically do all fire protection for the fire district,” he said. “That money goes towards training. It goes towards equipment. Basically the day-to-day operations, that budget covers or that line covers.”
Question 2 asks for a special tax rate of not more than 0.10% of taxable property to provide funds for emergency and rescue crews and equipment.
"That strictly covers rescue equipment, whether it’s fire department related or EMS related,” said Gibson. “Just a couple of examples would be like vehicle extrication equipment. We have water rescue equipment …”
The last question would increase the maximum allowable tax rate from 0.30% to 0.40% of taxable property specifically for ambulance services. Gibson said this money will go into the EMS fund, mostly for compensating those employees but also covering supplies and equipment they use.
He said the general fund can help pay for EMS needs if needed, and that has happened before.
Gibson said the department has had issues paying for needs in the past and managed to make do with what they had. However, that sometimes caused other needs to go without.
“I’ll give you an example. We need a new skid unit, which is just a water tank and pump that goes into our [vehicles], and it’s taken us two years, and we finally got enough between the budget and then donations to purchase that this year,” he said.
If voters say no, Gibson said lowering hours at the department is doable but another option is also on the table.
“At some point in time, we’re probably going to have to look at consolidating with other fire departments in our area, especially if this does not improve,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of departments struggling. I don’t know how many of them will come out and say that, but we definitely are.”
Gibson said he is optimistic the taxpayers in the district, at 1,184 residents, will pass the measures.
