Voters appear to support Itasca fire district tax hike

Voters appeared to be supporting the Itasca Fire Protection District's request to boost its annual property tax revenues by roughly $1 million - from about $4.6 million to $5.6 million.

With nine of 12 precincts reporting as of 12:20 a.m. Wednesday, 1,235 voters approved the tax increase, while 1,040 opposed it, according to unofficial tallies.

Chief James Burke said the tax hike, which will cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $114 more a year, is needed to keep pace with the rising cost of salaries, building maintenance and other expenses. He said the new revenue will allow the district to "keep what we have" and "provide the service we need to provide into the future."

The district covers most of Itasca and parts of Addison and Wood Dale.