Fox River and Countryside Fire Rescue District news (more)

From excerpts shared on ChicagoTribune.com: Fire Chief John Nixon recently voiced concerns at a town hall meeting about the potential closure of the Fox River and Countryside Fire Protection District if voters reject the upcoming referendum to hike the property tax levy by 95%. He warned that without this increase, the district might cease operations within just two years. "If we don't pass this, we're looking at a very slow but painful decline," Nixon explained. Should the district shut down, the State Fire Marshal would need to redistribute its coverage area among neighboring districts, leading to longer emergency response times for residents—potentially adding 12 to 15 minutes. Despite these warnings, Nixon emphasized that their approach remains factual rather than coercive. At Monday's meeting, he detailed the district's financial situation and outlined the upcoming April 4th referendum question, which seeks to raise the property tax cap from either 5% or the CPI increase to 95% for the 2017 levy year. For instance, homeowners with properties valued at $300,000 could expect an extra annual tax payment of around $300, generating an additional $2.5 million. While still maintaining one of the lowest tax rates compared to surrounding areas, the district relies solely on property taxes for funding. However, there’s no capital reserve for replacing aging gear like outdated life packs, each costing $40,000, with five units currently in use. The total cost for replacements alone amounts to $200,000. The proposed referendum funds aim to address critical needs including better staffing levels—currently running two firefighters per engine instead of the recommended four—and having two paramedics per ambulance call instead of just one paramedic and one EMT. The district serves a 38-square-mile area where nearly 27% of calls overlap, requiring mutual aid assistance. "This is a responsible plan," Nixon continued. "Our objective is ensuring long-term sustainability for fire and ambulance services." To spread awareness, the district launched a social media campaign along with a dedicated website for the referendum. Another town hall session is scheduled for 6:30 PM on March 13 at the Campton Township Community Center located at 5N082 Old LaFox Road. Special thanks go out to Dan and Scott for sharing this insightful update.

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