Archive for April 8th, 2015

Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District loses bid for tax increase

Apr 8

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Voters in the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District provided little doubt Tuesday about whether they wanted to pay higher taxes for emergency services.

Unofficial results in Kane and DuPage counties on Tuesday showed 854 voters supported the proposed tax rate increase whereas 2,240 did not.

The question asked voters whether the extension limitation for the district should “be increased from the lesser of 5 percent or the percentage increase in the consumer-price index over the prior levy year to 12.5 percent for each of the levy years of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.”

Officials with the fire district officials have said the extra funds would be used to increase the wages paid to personnel, among other investments, such as equipment.

The district covers about 38 square miles and serves residents in Campton Hills, Wayne and St. Charles townships.

Previous post is HERE

Tags: Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District, Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District loses bid for tax increase, Fox River & Countryside FPD wants tax increase, Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District

Lake County fire departments request voter approval for tax increases

Apr 8

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 2 Comments

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Antioch: Reversing course from November’s failed referendum for a new property tax to fund ambulances services, 57 percent of voters in the village of Antioch responded Tuesday with votes in favor, according to unofficial results from the Lake County Clerk’s Office.

In Antioch Township, however, voting on a related ambulance services ballot question remained nearly deadlocked after 10 p.m., with “yes” votes holding 50.2 percent of the 1,726 ballots counted. All precincts were in and early votes counted, with only provisional ballots and late-arriving votes by mail unaccounted for, according to the clerk’s office. Official totals were not expected Tuesday night.

The separate referendum questions for unincorporated residents and village residents asked taxpayers to approve a .25-cent ambulance tax that would cost the owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 just over $84 a year. The need for ambulance services is the result of the Antioch Rescue Squad disbanding.

Fox Lake: Voters were asked to approve a tax for ambulance services, and in unincorporated Fox Lake they voted at a 65 percent clip in favor of the ballot question, according to unofficial results with all 16 precincts reporting.

Officials said the funds will help the Fox Lake Fire Protection District upgrade equipment, such as breathing apparatus, and tools. The district also has a fire engine and tanker truck beyond maximum age recommended by the National Fire Protection Association Standards.

Newport Township FPD: According to unofficial vote totals, the Newport Township Fire Protection District did not garner enough votes to raise its ambulance tax rate.

With all five precincts counted, 56 percent of voters cast ballots against the measure.

The district was seeking to raise its tax rate .132 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to help fund the replacement of aging equipment after the district used reserve funds to build a second fire station.

Tags: Antioch FIre Department, Antioch First Fire District, Antioch seeks tax levy for EMS, Fox Lake Fire Department, Fox Lake Fire Protection District, Fox Lake FPD seeks tax levy increase, Fox Lake FPD to seek tax increase, Newport Township Fire Protection District