Fire department merger deserves support

I write this for the sole purpose of informing the Fox Lake residents about the upcoming vote on March 15 to become part of the Fox Lake Fire Protection District. I am in opposition to the Daily Herald's "Opinion" recommendation published Feb. 24.

I disagree with the Herald's cost analysis which is based on an average home in our area having a value of $200,000. In reality, the average Fox Lake home sells for $120,000.00. Therefore, the tax increases they project are incorrect.

Today the Village collects $1.18 million in tax dollars for Fire Protection and Ambulance Service and surrenders those dollars directly to the Fire Protection District. The village also contracted with the district to pay an additional $210,000 annually.

This amount is the approximate difference between the dollars collected from property taxes and the actual cost of services provided.

There are approximately 4,600 addresses in the village, which means that today each home is already paying an additional $46 a year to satisfy the contract for fire and EMS services.

This means you are currently paying property tax dollars and the contracted amount of $46 agreed on by the elected officials.

Last spring, the district respectfully asked for and overwhelmingly passed a fire and EMS referendum, which was the first one asked by the district since 1978. As of today, the district residents are contributing more for the same fire and EMS services than a resident of the village.

Since 2007, the village has been out of the fire and EMS business, and the Fox Lake Fire Protection District has provided first class quality fire and EMS services without interruption.

It is my hope that you will support this consolidation and remove the village and its management practices from the Fire and EMS equation completely and bring the management closer to you.

J. Kevin Hunter

Ingleside