South Elgin fire district wants to build two new fire stations
Voters in South Elgin will decide in March if they want to increase property taxes to build and staff two new fire stations, which officials say are needed to deal with the village's growth.
The South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District held an open house Thursday about two referendum questions on the March 20 election ballot. More sessions are planned at social clubs and homeowners associations, Fire Chief Bill Sohn said.
One referendum question asks permission to borrow $10 million to build two new fire stations. That would result in an estimated $62.58 annual property tax increase for a home with a $200,000 market value, according to a consultant's estimate.
The other referendum question asks for a 0.1 percent increase to the fire district levy - technically to create a new emergency and rescue fund - to pay for additional firefighters and equipment. That would result in an estimated $66.67 annual property tax increase for a home with a $200,000 market value.
Those who claim homeowners' exemptions would pay slightly less, according to consulting firm Ehlers in Chicago. The fire district levy represents about 4.5 percent of property tax bills, with an additional 0.6 percent for firefighters' pensions.
The 24-square-mile district has fire stations at 150 W. State St. and 2055 McDonald Road. It employs 30 full-time firefighters/paramedics and 10 part-timers who last year responded to 2,900 calls - 70 percent for emergency medical services. That's up from 2,600 calls five years ago.
The plan is to build two new stations, one at 498 South Elgin Blvd. and one at 1090 Spring St., the latter to replace the aging State Street station that also houses administrative offices, Assistant Fire Chief Steve Wascher said. The district would hire at least nine more full-time firefighters and more part-timers.
The village anticipates more residential and commercial development on the far east side, including townhouses, a memory care facility and possibly grocery stores, Wascher said. Under the plan, the three fire stations would be well-positioned to each cover about a third of the district, he said.
As for the station on State Street, "we have outgrown this and we have space issues," Wascher said. "The engines have increased in weight and the floor is cracking. The heating and air conditioning are a problem, it's cold in winter and hot in summer."
Among those who attended the open house was Edmundo Lopez, president of the Stonington Place homeowners association across the street from the new fire station planned on Spring Street. Lopez said he had questions about noise, construction and property values, and will bring back answers to fellow residents.
The fire district has owned the property on South Elgin Boulevard for years; it bought the Spring Street property for $350,000 in December after the price "dropped considerably," Wascher said.
If the plan moves forward, the vacated station on State Street, adjacent to village hall, would likely be sold to the village, he said. Trustee Lisa Guess said the purchase has been floated but not formally discussed.