Fire district trustee wants your input

As a Carol Stream Fire District trustee, My goal has been to represent the needs of the residents of the fire district. It has been my desire to ensure that the high qualities of EMS and fire services are maintained while trying to avoid new additional service fees or taxes.

We are served by firefighters who are committed to their profession and to serving, protecting our lives and property in the district. I am very proud of the job they do.

However, I was disappointed to read Firefighter Greg Schwarze's letter to the editor. Greg mentioned that he was surprised to see a fire district trustee questioning the fire chief's decision to hire a landscape service to do the weekly lawn maintenance at the stations. Since Mr. Schwarze is a village trustee, he should understand the need to ask questions regarding expenditures. It is the role of a trustee to be a good steward of the tax revenue, to ensure that quality of services are maintained while living within our budget.

Currently, the fire district is faced with a proposed budget deficit. I believe we have a spending and not a budget crisis. Fire District revenues have increased at an average rate of 6.4 percent per year for the past four years. Conversely, expenditures have increased at an average rate of 8.4 percent per year for the past four years. Our bank balances have declined $2.8 million in that time. Obviously, if we continue on this path, the fire district will need to ask residents for more money.

The district has two choices: raise additional revenues or cut expenses. I am asking the residents of this district for input. Please contact me at jimpanopoulos@sbcglobal.net, and let me know how you feel about these issues.

Jim Panopoulos

Trustee, Carol Stream Fire District