The Chicago has an article about the defeat of a tax hike request by the New Lenox Fire Protection District.
Residents said no to a tax increase proposed by the New Lenox Fire Protection District despite officials’ assurances that added taxes would lead to upgraded services for the community.
With 17 of 20 precincts reporting as of press time Tuesday night, the fire district’s tax increase received support from 46 percent of voters, with 54 percent opposing, unofficial vote totals show.
Marisa Schrieber, the Fire Protection District’s public education coordinator, released a statement on behalf of the district thanking voters. “Although the referendum did not pass, we will strive to become the best we can be for everyone who lives and passes through our district,” Schrieber said.
Fire district officials said the increase would have added $86 per year to the tax bills of owners of a $200,000 house.
The fire district sought to upgrade service in the growing community by replacing five ambulances and three fire trucks over the next five years with the money brought in by the tax increase. It was the fire district’s first tax increase request in 25 years, according to district officials.
Since 1989, south suburban New Lenox has doubled in size from nearly 17,000 residents to more than 34,000, officials said. The fire district workload also has intensified from 890 calls in 1990 to more than 3,398 by 2012, officials said.
#1 by fmddc1 on March 26, 2014 - 4:43 PM
Just goes to show how “dangerously stupid” people are! Know one cares about the fire service until their “house catches” fire or an EMS emergency happens to the ones who voted it down! Just pisses me off to no end! $85.00????????? Really!
#2 by grumpy grizzly on March 26, 2014 - 11:25 AM
you have a 200,000 dollar house and you bitch about 85 bucks. You would send that much on a Bears tail gating party at your house!
#3 by Mike on March 24, 2014 - 2:00 PM
Sad to hear. This fire district has rapidly grown, yet continued to work with the same amount of revenue for this long! Nobody wants to pay more in taxes, but eventually it is necessary if they want to continue with the same great service. NLFD is made up of some great individuals that have continued to provide excellent service. I hope for their sake in the future they are able to obtain the necessary funding. Best wishes!