Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
The New Lenox Fire Protection District is negotiating a deal with the village to reopen the fire station that closed Friday because of budget cuts following a failed referendum for a tax rate hike. Fire officials said they have no choice but to ask voters again for a rate hike in the November general election.
New Lenox Fire Chief Adam Riegel and Mayor Tim Baldermann confirmed that the village and district will consider an intergovernmental agreement in their upcoming meetings this month in which the village will provide the fire district with a no-interest loan until the end of the year to reopen Station #2 at 1205 N. Cedar Road.
Under the proposed plan, the village would loan the fire district $450,000 to keep the station opened until the end of the year. The village loan would come from money in a property tax refund, which would be a 50 percent refund, instead of 75 percent.
In the March 20 primary, a referendum to increase the fire district’s tax rate to 59 cents from 38 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation was defeated by 212 votes. The fire board also voted to issue $750,000 in Tax Anticipation Warrants and cut four firefighter/paramedic positions.
The village board will review the proposal for the first time at its April 9 meeting and give community chance to discuss it. If the fire board of trustees agrees to it at its April 16 meeting, it could be approved by the village board April 24.
