Why the Fox Lake Fire Protection District will be seeking tax hike
Saying it can no longer be avoided, Fox Lake Fire Protection District officials will be asking voters in the March 17 primary election for a tax increase to fund pensions.
Chief Edward Lescher said the action has been considered for years but the issue has reached a tipping point as more firefighters are hired.
“The last thing we want to do is go to our taxpayers for more money,” Lescher said.
State law requires any fire department with full-time firefighters to provide a pension but not a revenue source without voter approval, according to the district.
The ballot question asks voters whether the district should levy a new tax for that purpose, amounting to about $20 for every $100,000 of home value. That means someone with a home valued at $300,000 would pay an extra $60 per year.
The Fox Lake Fire Protection District is a 24-hour operation with 53 firefighters on staff. Twenty-seven of them are part time or contracted with an outside service and not eligible for pensions, Lescher said.
Six new firefighters were hired last year and some contract employees are looking elsewhere.
With the need for hiring expected to continue, the fire board recently voted to put the tax question to voters. Maintaining strong emergency response, assisting in recruitment and protecting firefighters' futures are among the benefits, according to district literature.
The district covers 33,000 residents over 30 square miles that includes Fox Lake, Ingleside, Lakemoor, Round Lake and Volo, as well as unincorporated areas in Lake and McHenry counties.
Lescher said it is the ninth busiest of 32 fire departments or districts in Lake County, with 5,136 service calls last year. About 81% of those were for EMS/ambulance service.
The district accounts for about 3% of an average property tax bill and would remain within that level with the tax increase, Lescher said.
“We are the lowest tax rate of fire districts that actually provide a service,” he said. “We're one of only two that do not levy for firefighters' pensions.”
Open houses about the referendum are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 7 and Feb. 21, at district headquarters, 306 Washington St., Ingleside. Additional information and brochures are available at headquarters or by calling (847) 587-3312 and asking for Lescher.