Response and Response Time Initiative:
Texas Township voters approved a millage proposal on the May 4, 2010 ballot. The proposal is for one-half (0.5) mill for 10 years. The approved funding will be collected on the winter tax bill, and we will be able to budget the money in January 2011.
The millage is focused on the three top priorities identified by the 2006 community survey results and the 2008 independent consultants report.
1) 24-hour staffing for the fire station, cost about $156,000 / year for filling the hours not currently staffed. Those times are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, all day on weekends and holidays. This may be accomplished by adding personnel to work 24-hour shifts, as is normal practice for fire departments as this provides the most efficient use of wages and resources.
2) Enhanced contributions to the Apparatus Replacement Fund - $125,000 / year. Currently, our $50,000 / year contribution will not fund the replacement of our apparatus in a timely manner. The additional dollars will be needed to just keep the trucks we have, it probably will not provide for any additional units.
3) Modify the Fire Station to provide for crews quarters for 24-hour staffing - $51,000 per year for a 10-year building fund. This would provide for about a 45' x 45' addition onto the existing station for a kitchen, ready room, bunk room, locker rooms, a small library and office.
The independent consultant contracted by the Township to review the Fire Department recommended these three priorities, considering the capabilities of the Department now compared to the growth and service demands of the Township.
The 0.5 mill would mean that for every $1,000 of taxable value of your property as appears on your tax bill (about half of the market value) the amount of the proposed tax would be 50 Cents. So if your home has a market value around $100,000.00 your fire department yearly tax would be $25.00. The most accurate way to compute this would be to look at your tax bill or annual assessment notice and find the “Taxable Value” of your property. Multiply that figure by 0.0005 to find the amount.
If you would like further information about the consultants report, Fire Department capabilities, or would like to review the minutes of the Public Safety Committee, please refer to the following links:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Consultants Report
Public Safety Committee: http://www.texastownship.org/PublicSafetyCommittee.aspx
Fire Department Planning Functions, and the independent Fire Department Consultant's study and recommendations: http://www.texastownship.org/fire/Content.aspx?ID=11
Fire Department capabilities affect Property Insurance: http://www.texastownship.org/fire/News.aspx?ID=33
Fire Department planning for the years ahead: http://www.texastownship.org/fire/News.aspx?ID=34
Please forward any comments or questions to:
Mike Corfman, Chief - Fire & Rescue Department: MCorfman@texastownship.org
Paul Cutting, Chair - Public Safety Committee: PCutting@texastownship.org