Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
The Newport Township Fire Protection District is once again pushing for a tax increase to modernize its equipment and maintain essential services. A referendum on the March 15 ballot will ask voters to approve an additional 0.132 cents per $100 of a home's assessed market value—same as the proposal that failed last year with only 44% of the vote. If approved, homeowners with a $100,000 property would pay about $43.75 annually to the fire district, according to Fire Chief Mark Kirchhoffer.
Fire taxes have not increased in 23 years, but the district now faces financial challenges due to declining property values. From 2009 to 2015, the township’s total assessed value dropped from $268.8 million to $188.8 million, resulting in a loss of roughly $80 million in taxable value. This has led to a budget shortfall, with the fire district facing a $1.9 million budget while relying on just $1.25 million in annual tax revenue.
“Our tax rate would be fine if we had something to tax,†Kirchhoffer said. “People don’t want taxes to go up, and I understand that. But I live here too, and I want to know that help will come quickly if I need it. You can’t do this much cheaper than we’re doing it, and people deserve good fire protection. We’re trying to be smart and responsible with our money.â€
If the referendum passes, the funds will be used to replace aging equipment. The National Fire Protection Association recommends replacing fire apparatus every 25 years, and the district currently operates engines from 1989, 1995, and 2000, along with a tanker purchased in 2000. New gear is needed for all firefighters, including two outdated heart monitors and one ambulance.
The fire district serves 38 volunteers covering 2,300 structures across 33 square miles, including parts of Beach Park, Old Mill Creek, Wadsworth, and unincorporated Lake County. The area is mostly residential (40%), farmland (35%), and protected land (25%), with very little public water infrastructure. As a result, the district requires more tankers than other departments to handle emergencies without access to city water systems.
Additionally, the fire department responds to accidents on Interstate 94, but the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority does not cover these costs. While the district earns revenue from ambulance fees, changes in healthcare policies have reduced insurance reimbursements, even though the level of service remains the same.
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