If approved by the voters, the Fire District will be authorized to levy a maintenance and operations excess levy in the sum of $650,000.00 per year to be collected in 2013 and 2014 and $850,000.00 per year to be collected in 2015 and 2016. Such levy will be in addition to the District’s regular tax levies for a temporary four year period. Based on current assessed property valuations the District estimates that the tax levy rate necessary to generate these funds in 2013 and 2014 will be approximately $.60 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation and approximately $.90 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation in 2015 and 2016. The estimated levy rates will decrease if assessed property values increase during this period.
The costs of providing fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency medical services have increased because of specialized equipment, personnel training, supplies and reporting required by county, state and federal regulations. With declining assessed property values resulting in decreased revenue, the District will not be able to maintain adequate staffing and service levels provided within the limitations of the District’s regular tax levy. This maintenance and operations levy will provide the funds necessary to retain firefighters and maintain service levels.
If the levy is approved, the additional maximum tax per $100,000 assessed valuation is estimated not to exceed $60.00 per year for the first two years and $90.00 for the final two years or approximately an additional $5.00 - $7.50 per month for fire protection and emergency medical services.
