Excerpts from the Dailyherald.com:
While the village of Bartlett has approved a larger station for its police department, the separate Bartlett Fire Protection District will soon formulate a response to voters’ rejection of a tax hike intended to maintain services at their current level.
Fire district trustees have scheduled a workshop to discuss the financial and operational outlook for the agency at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, at Fire Station 1, 234 N. Oak Ave. in Bartlett. Fire Chief Michael Falese is expected to present the board with options intended to reduce costs.
The district’s entire financial picture will be considered as various options — and their potential impacts on the public — are discussed.
Last month, 3,699 voters cast ballots against the proposed tax increase — 59.5 percent of the total. The district had asked for a 19.5 percent increase in its property tax levy at the end of 2017. Without voter approval, taxing bodies can increase their levies by 5 percent or the rate of inflation — whichever is less.
The proposed tax hike would have added $600,000 per year to the district’s reserves for unexpected contingencies, fill some vacant jobs to avoid current overtime issues, and allow for a third medical unit when the population warrants it.
The district’s revenue has increased only 1 percent from 2009 to 2017, while the number of calls has risen 16 percent, Falese said.
thanks Dan
Pingback: Bartlett Fire Protection District news (more) « chicagoareafire.com
#1 by MABAS 21 on June 2, 2017 - 2:22 PM
Tri-State FPD used to run with 2 mini/chase squads and terminated that response procedure after new leadership was created and they sold them. I don’t recall what their change came from. Their Station 2 runs a jump company now between the tower and engine with the engine running EMS calls.
Rockford was running with 2 EMS chase SUV’s as jump companies between certain trucks, but I’m not sure if they still are.
#2 by Cmk420 on June 1, 2017 - 9:52 PM
Wheaton, West Chicago, Bloomingdale and Carol Stream all run their towers on ambulance calls. Would seem like a lot of money to have a smaller chase squad/mini-pumper to only run it, maybe, half the time. I guess it is what it is.
#3 by Michael M on June 1, 2017 - 2:38 PM
I agree many towns are using million dollar tower ladders as Ambulance chasers. I understand and I am glad Elk Grove went with the smaller squad for Ambulance calls.
Although I can see a potential issue if a fire call comes in while the tower crew is on a Ambulance call in a small squad.
That’s interesting about the union, I never would have thought about that.
#4 by Mike C on May 31, 2017 - 7:35 PM
The tanker Bartlett wants to replace isn’t that bad. There are neighboring towns with tankers in much worse condition. That Pierce tower they have has been a grocery getter, ambulance chaser for quite a few years. Maybe consider a more cost effective way to assist the ambulance than using a million dollar truck that now has a ton of miles on it. They are now using an older E-One engine as a jump company between the Pierce tower.
I honestly think Bartlett FPD is pretty responsible with their finances. A few years ago the union that represents the firefighters found out how much the fire protection district had in its reserves. Fortunately this has led to higher pay and better benefits. Unfortunately this has led to a lot less money in the fire protection districts account.
#5 by Michael M on May 31, 2017 - 4:50 PM
My guess is there is such distrust of the government as a whole, keep in mind, the government does waste our tax dollars. Look at the state of Illinois pension system.
People are sick and tired of government entities asking for more money and then wasting it.
What Bartlett should have done is made a more concerted effort to tell the public hey we are NOT going to waste your money! We will use your money for a new tanker and manpower.
I agree with Mike that people do not realize that fire departments do not make enough money to be self sustaining.
#6 by Cmk420 on May 31, 2017 - 2:15 PM
I have said it before, and I will say it again–why are people so against sacrificing some extra money in order to have the best possible emergency services. It just boggles my mind.
#7 by Mike on May 31, 2017 - 8:34 AM
Hanover park did this in the 90’s and they have been successful. I would be cautious about doing this now. Doing some quick research it appears bartletts ambulance and corporate tax combined is at 0.64 cents per 100.00 of equalized assessed value. The state allows up to .80 cents but the rate can only be raise up to 5% or what the CPI is as per PTELL. People need to realize that fire departments don’t make enough money to be self sustaining. The ambulance billing brings in approx 10% but the rest is through property taxes. A fire district is financially better because there is no competition with other entities as a municipal department would see.
It would be nice to see what cuts BFD is looking at doing.