Grayslake OKs more funds for fire district

Grayslake-area residents on Tuesday appearing to be backing a plan to build a new fire station and improve the staffing and services of the local fire protection district.

With ballots in 11 of 11 precincts counted, unofficial results showed 8,117 people voted for the 17-cent tax-rate increase, while 7,128 opposed it.

Early votes were included in the totals, but not absentee and provisional ballots.

The owner of a house valued at $200,000 will pay an extra $111 in taxes in the first year, officials said.

A south-side station, more employees and equipment upgrades are among the possible benefits of the extra revenue.

The department has two stations now, and proponents of the plan said a third will improve response times to emergencies on the district's south side and throughout the area.

"We want to get to work identifying sites for the new station," Chief Don Mobley said. "In May, when our new budget year starts, we expect to be adding six new people."

The district's population has grown dramatically through the years, as have the number of calls firefighters and paramedics respond to annually, Mobley said.

A new station, new crews and new equipment will better meet that growing demand, Mobley said.

In addition to Grayslake, the district includes parts of Third Lake, Hainesville, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Beach and unincorporated areas.