From excerpts on DailyHerald.com:
On Monday evening, Glen Ellyn trustees voiced preliminary support for hiking monthly fire service fees, aiming to cover operational expenses and establish a reserve fund for future construction projects at the town's two fire stations. The proposed increases would apply to five different property owner categories. Homeowners could see their monthly fee jump from $7.50 to $15, while businesses under 20,000 square feet would face a doubling of their charges to $16 per month.
According to village estimates, these hikes could bring in around $1.6 million annually for the fire department. This marks an interesting development in a suburb where firefighting is primarily handled by approximately 60 volunteers, each receiving just $1 annually. Additionally, the fire company anticipates receiving $151,500 this year from two special taxing districts.
The additional funds would enable the village to set aside nearly $750,000 yearly in a reserve fund, potentially aiding in the replacement of the downtown fire station within the next ten years and facilitating upgrades at the Taft Avenue station. A space study of both facilities might be commissioned later this year, with results expected in 2018. Station Number One, located at Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, is the older of the two, having opened in the 1950s.
Financial advisors have also suggested setting aside about $400,000 annually for equipment needs. An upcoming decision this spring will involve determining whether to purchase a new ladder truck. Currently, these fees generate roughly $803,000 annually for the fire company. Operational costs alone are projected to reach around $700,000 this year.
These fees were introduced almost three years ago to replace a longstanding donation program for the fire company, which had seen participation from only about 20% of property owners. Initial revenue forecasts anticipated collecting around $70,000 from property owners in an area mainly east of I-355 and north of Roosevelt Road. However, it was discovered that these owners already contribute through property taxes to a separate fire protection district contracting services from Lombard.
Fortunately, the mistake was caught before the first bills were sent out. The board may vote on these proposed increases as early as March 20, with the new fees likely appearing on water bills in June.
Thanks for sharing, Dan!
This situation highlights how tricky it can be to implement new financial strategies without overlooking potential overlaps or redundancies. It seems like Glen Ellyn is trying to strike a balance between supporting its volunteer firefighters and ensuring they have the resources needed to maintain operations effectively. While the plan looks promising, it will be interesting to see how residents respond and if there are further adjustments down the line.
JARRY CNC MACHINERY CO.,LTD , https://www.jarry-machinetool.com