Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
The village of Antioch will join the First Fire Protection District of Antioch after resounding support Tuesday by village voters. Unofficial totals showed voters approved the measure to join the fire district 3,922 to 2,083.
The approval means Antioch no longer will contract with the district for service. Instead, village property owners will be included in the fire protection district, which also includes Antioch Township, and pay taxes directly to it. The change means a tax rate increase for village residents of about 15 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation, or about $90 more in annual property tax for the owner of a home valued at $200,000.
The vote allows for completion of a plan to create one fire and rescue service provider and revamp how fire and rescue decisions are made. The First Fire Protection District of Antioch will continue as the primary fire service provider and the fire district oversight board increases from three to five elected members. Supporters said long term efficiency would be enhanced.
