September 30, 2022 |
County officials are providing information regarding the proposed fire protection district in unincorporated areas at a series of meetings this week and next.
On Wednesday night at the Platte Valley Community Center, Fire Warden John Rutherford and Carbon County Commissioner Travis Moore discussed the proposed plan to create a fire protection district for areas of unincorporated Carbon County. This was their second stop after hosting an educational meeting earlier in the evening in Encampment.
Rutherford and Moore presented the dozen or so attendees with a detailed breakdown of how the FPD would benefit Carbon County. Their goal is to have a reliable source of income to pay for things the firefighters need like protective equipment and training. Moore said that things aren’t likely to get less expensive as time goes on.
Pictured above: Carbon County firefighters respond to an accident on I-80. Courtesy photo.
The funding for these services would come from taxes paid by homeowners and businesses in the unincorporated parts of the county.
The mill levy for the fire district would be set at three percent. For example, if your home appraises at $300,000, you will pay $7.13 a month, or $85.50 yearly. Rutherford said that businesses will pay most of the taxes.
Vehicle crashes on the interstate and rural highways make up more than half of the calls that county firefighters respond to throughout the year. Rutherford said firefighters do not receive the same protections that other responders do. EMS and tow truck drivers, for instance, can bill insurance companies for their services, fire departments cannot. Rutherford said firefighters are often the first responders to arrive at a crash scene.
Some members of the public expressed concern paying higher taxes. Scott Kerbs pointed out there needs to be a way to control the amount of tax revenue that is collected.
Rutherford said the FPD may need to set the tax at three mills to be eligible for certain government funding programs.
County residents who live outside municipalities will see a yes/no vote on the General Election ballot along with the names of candidates running for the board of directors who will serve if the district is approved.
A list of candidates, as well as other information about the proposed fire protection district, is available at www.carboncountyfiredistrict.com.
