Excerpts from the Kane-Chronicle.com:
Voters defeated the Fox River and Countryside Fire Protection District’s second attempt at a rate increase with 1,451 no votes to 935 yes votes, a difference of 516 votes, according to unofficial results in Kane and DuPage counties the night of the April 4 consolidated election.
The district sought an increase to nearly 53 cents, up from 27 cents, per $100 of equalized assessed value. The new rate would have boosted its levy to nearly $5 million and would have helped replace an aging fleet and equipment, provide for adequate staffing, and reduce its debt.
As this is the second failure – a similar request in 2015 was defeated – district officials will have to consider being dissolved and the area it serves divided among other fire districts.
The district covers 38 square miles and serves about 25,000 residents in Campton Hills, Wayne, and St. Charles townships.
Fire district attorney Kenneth Shepro said the board faces some tough choices.
“The board will have to take a hard look at the available options,” Shepro said. “The dilemma remains that there is not enough money to buy new equipment and sustain existing staffing levels – something has got to give. I think the board will have all options on the table.”
Still, Shepro said he preferred to think of the current defeat as nearly doubling its support from the previous failed referendum.
“In our journey of a thousand miles, we went from 25 percent to 40 percent in support … with a turnout of a thousand fewer voters,” Shepro said. “We improved by over a thousand votes.”
thanks Dennis
#1 by Scott on April 13, 2017 - 12:37 AM
Except for the 3 new Alexis apparatus they bought, the others while cosmetically nice are falling apart and need replacement. It has nothing to do with any maintenance, or lack of by the district, they where used and old when bought.
#2 by Austin on April 6, 2017 - 9:01 PM
My parents live in Campton Hills. My mom voted no because she never wanted it to begin with. That is something you will hear a lot from the people in the district. She said she hopes now they will be back in St. Charles district like they were for over 25 years. Most people in Campton Hills never wanted it to begin with, but the former village president wanted to be just like St. Charles with it’s own fire department and even a library. The board never made any effort to tell people, not just in Campton Hills, but the district as a whole what they wanted to do. That rubbed people the wrong way. Then with Jim Gaffney trying to make the department a shrine to himself really ruined the department. There is NO reason why they need new apparatus desperately. The department was founded in 2011, and started with new vehicles, a refurb, and some old spares. They bought a new engine, and have the other apparatus from six years ago. If their apparatus is falling apart that fast it means it isn’t being maintained properly.
Hopefully the station in Campton Hills will be taken over by St. Charles, and like Michael said hopefully the other station will be taken over by South Elgin.
#3 by Michael M on April 6, 2017 - 10:23 AM
Maybe they voted it down because of the districts history of mismanagement of funds. In that case I cannot say I blame them. Who would want to give a government organization more money if they are going to waste it?
#4 by Michael M on April 6, 2017 - 10:15 AM
Maybe South Elgin will take over FRC Station 3 in Unincorporated St Charles? I would hate to think that a station that is only a few years old will be torn down.
#5 by cmk420 on April 5, 2017 - 11:25 PM
You know, as much as I have read about Fox River and their issues, I am sure that this is not the whole story. OK, so it looks like (from an outsiders POV) that they are mismanaged, and they thought they could do it better than St. Charles and the surrounding areas. It also sounds like there are a lot of egos involved.
As a proponent of Public Safety, as I used to be involved in it, I don’t understand why people are willing to sacrifice their safety and having “respectable” emergency response coverage for having to pay a little more for it.
From what I have read, there are (at least) three referendums that were shot down on Tuesday & it was about have proper staffing and equipment to provide the right coverage so that they (the residents) don’t have to wait longer.
I just don’t know . . .
#6 by Mike on April 5, 2017 - 6:37 PM
“Current defeat as nearly doubling its support” so a successful failure. Glad to see what really matters to them. I feel bad for the guys working there, the residents have spoken again and they say “no more”!