Fire bonds won't increase tax bills

The Board of Trustees for the Bloomingdale Fire Protection District approved a referendum request to maintain, repair and replace apparatus, equipment, and stations.

Due to the age of the district's fleet and facilities, rising operating costs and small tax revenue increases, the district was obligated to make this decision. Twenty years ago, in an effort to expand the service capabilities and build a new headquarters station, the district passed a bond referendum. That bond levy expired in 2017 and the district is asking to replenish those tax monies again to maintain, repair, and replace some of the aging critical infrastructure.

Money from the referendum cannot be used for personnel, hiring, salaries or pension but will be used to maintain and improve the district's fleet, emergency equipment, and facilities. Approval of the bond referendum would result in no increase to the residents" tax bills compared to 2017 tax bill.

The referendum question will appear on the March 20, 2018 ballot. The referendum will appear on the ballot in the form of a question: "Shall the Bloomingdale Fire Protection District #1, DuPage County, Illinois, repair and improve fire stations and purchase emergency response fleet and equipment and issue its bonds to the amount of $4,500,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?"

The Bloomingdale Fire Protection District provides fire, medical and emergency services to 35,000 residents in six communities as well as unincorporated DuPage County. The district is staffed daily by 11 firefighters and paramedics and responds to over 4,800 calls per year. In order to maximize efficiency of its operations, the district became a member of the West Suburban Fire Rescue Alliance in 2014, a functional consolidation of area fire departments.

In 2016, the district was recognized as a Class 1 fire agency by the Insurance Services Office and received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association.

Rod Craig, Mayor

Hanover Park