Winfield fire district seeking voter support for tax hike

Saying it needs more money to offset rising costs, the Winfield Fire Protection District is seeking voter approval for a property tax increase.

Voters will decide on March 17 whether to approve the request, which, if approved, would generate roughly $2.2 million a year in additional revenue for the district that includes nearly all of Winfield, as well as unincorporated sections near West Chicago, Wheaton, Carol Stream and Warrenville.

"Since the tax cap took effect in 1991, the Winfield Fire Protection District has delivered quality, state-of-the-art fire, rescue and emergency medical services at the lowest tax rate of any fire district in our surrounding area," the district said in a statement. But the tax rate for the district has "fallen dangerously below the level necessary to sustain quality services."

Fire Chief Steve Evans said the district responds to more than 2,000 calls a year - an increase of more than 33% since 2009.

To control costs, the district has reduced staffing to minimum levels, reduced its fleet of vehicles, and deferred major repairs and replacement of vehicles, facilities and equipment for its firefighters/paramedics.

Evans said the increased call volume is threatening the district's ability to maintain its current level of service. "There's a lot of things that need to be addressed," he said.

If the referendum question is approved, the district would be able to hire more firefighters/paramedics, replace aging vehicles, purchase more equipment and make improvements to its two fire stations.

The district also would be able to staff a closed fire station along Winfield Road, just north of Roosevelt Road. The station on the south side of Winfield opened in 1983 but hasn't been used for years.

Evans said having firefighters/paramedics and an ambulance at that fire station would help the district respond to calls south of the tracks that divide its coverage area.

The district, which is a separate taxing body from the village of Winfield, is financed by property tax revenue and ambulance fees. In recent years, it has received a grant from Northwestern Medicine.

If the increase is approved, the owner of a $318,000 house, who pays $360 a year in property taxes to the district, would see that amount increase to roughly $690.

Still, Evans said the tax rate would be significantly less than the rate of other fire protection districts in the area.

"I know we're asking for a considerable increase," Evans said. "But we're very, very low now."

To help educate voters about the referendum, the district is going to host two informational meetings at its headquarters, 27W530 High Lake Road, Winfield. The first meeting will be 7 to 8 p.m. Friday. The second meeting is scheduled for 9 to 10 a.m. March 14.