McLean County voters rejected three ballot questions that sought to raise taxes to prevent cutbacks on staffing in the Dale Township Fire Protection District.
In Tuesday’s midterm elections, unofficial results showed all three ballots referendums were disapproved by a margin of 47 to 120 votes, or an average of 56.81%.
The first question, which targeted a 0.1% increase on the corporate tax rate for all taxable property in the fire district, received the most nays at 347, or 60.45% of the vote. A second question that sought a special tax rate of 0.1% on property for costs of emergency and rescue crews and equipment lost by the smallest number of ‘no’ votes: 47 [54.12% disapproved].
The third and final referendum asked for the maximum allowable tax rate to be upped from 0.3% to 0.4% of taxable property specifically for ambulance services. This proposal was denied by a margin of 67 votes, or 55.87% of the total vote.
A representative with the Dale Township Fire Protection District was not immediately available for comment after election results were posted.
The Dale Township Fire Protection District is located about 10 miles southwest of Bloomington, covering 1,184 taxpayers in a 36.4 square mile area. Fire chief Ryan Gibson, told WGLT last week that they would have to alter their operations if their referendums failed.
Gibson said they would probably have to cut hours just to keep operating and maintaining equipment. He said the fire protection district has 19 staff members, including part-time paid and volunteer members. Gibson added they’ve had difficulty maintaining staff; volunteers cover evenings and overnights for the district.
Gibson had also stated the fire protection district may consider consolidating with another agency if things don’t improve.
“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.
This article may be updated.
