Rutland-Dundee Fire voters don't favor consolidation with neighbors

Initial ballot counts of an advisory referendum in the Rutland-Dundee Township Fire Protection District show a slim margin of voters do not want district officials to proceed with consolidation plans with neighboring districts and departments.

Unofficial results Tuesday show 12 votes separate those who want the consolidation efforts to continue versus those that don't. The results had 526 voters in favor and 538 against the move.

The district has been in talks with the West Dundee Fire Department, East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District and Carpentersville Fire Department about folding their operations into one another.

Because it's an advisory referendum, nothing would prevent fire board trustees from continuing the effort.