Hillsboro Fire Protection District Proposition “Full Time Staffing”

(Hillsboro) On the ballot April 4th will be a tax increase proposal by the Hillsboro Fire Protection District. District officials say the increase is needed to retain six firemen. Three years ago, a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency allowed the fire district to hire the additional help. The district has unsuccessfully gone to the voters three times with a tax increase proposal to fund the additional staff as the grant expires this year. Hillsboro Fire Chief Brian Gaudet says that not only could the district lose six firefighters but a cut in staff could also mean higher insurance premiums for business and homeowners.

“Proposition Full-Time Staffing” on the April 4th ballot will ask Hillsboro Fire Protection District voters to approve a property-tax increase of 35 cents per $100 assessed valuation. It requires a simple majority to pass.

The district’s current tax rate is 47.22 cents per $100 assessed valuation. If the increase is approved it would raise the rate to 82.22 cents per $100 assessed valuation and would cost the owner of a home valued at $150,000 an additional $99.75 per year.