Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
The Newport Township Fire Protection District is once again proposing a tax increase to modernize its equipment and 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 value—same as last year’s failed measure, which only received 44% of the vote. If approved, residents with a $100,000 home would pay about $43.75 annually to the fire district, according to Fire Chief Mark Kirchhoffer.
Fire taxes haven’t increased in over two decades, and the chief says the current funding isn’t enough to maintain the district’s aging fleet. Home values in the township have dropped significantly—from $268.8 million in 2009 to $188.7 million in 2015—resulting in a loss of nearly $80 million in taxable value. This has left the fire district with a budget of $1.9 million but only $1.25 million in annual revenue.
“Our tax rate would be fine if we had something to tax,†Kirchhoffer said. “I understand people don’t want higher taxes, but I live here too. I need an ambulance if I’m in trouble. You can’t do this much cheaper than we are, and people deserve good fire protection. We’re trying to be smart with our money.â€
The proposed funds would go toward replacing outdated equipment. According to national standards, fire apparatus should be replaced every 25 years. The district currently operates engines from 1989, 1995, and 2000, along with a tanker purchased in 2000. All firefighters require new gear, and the district also needs to replace two old 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. About 40% of the area is residential, 35% is farmland, and 25% is under Forest Preserve ownership. Only 5% of the coverage area has public water infrastructure.
“Because there are no water mains, we need more tankers than other departments,†Kirchhoffer explained. “We also respond to crashes on Interstate 94, and the tollway authority doesn’t cover those costs.â€
While the district earns revenue through ambulance fees, changes in healthcare laws have led to lower insurance reimbursements. Despite this, the fire department continues to provide the same level of service, putting pressure on their already tight budget.
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