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St. George Fire reminding residents about ballot amendments

7 years 4 months 2 weeks ago Monday, November 07 2016 Nov 7, 2016 November 07, 2016 8:52 AM November 07, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ

ST. GEORGE - If you live in the St. George Fire Protection District, there will be two tax renewal propositions on the November 8th Presidential Ballot to know about.

You can check the map here to find out if you live in the fire department's district.

The two millages represent nearly 47 percent of District 2's property tax revenue, and roughly 41% of the department's total budget.

The first proposition is a six million dollar tax that started in 1998, that the district seeks renewal from voters every 10 years.

This, covering "personal" expenses, costing the department millions.

"You look at personal costs, for this year, its almost $14.5 million." St. George Fire Protection District Fire Chief Gerard "Jerry" Tarleton said.

Although not necessarily worried about the property taxes being renewed by voters, Tarleton said it would be difficult to operate at the department's current level without the tax renewals.

"It pays for the meat of what we do, it pays for utilities, it pays for fuel, it pays for insurance, it pays for salaries, it pays all those things that keep this place going." said Tarleton.

The six million tax, is key in providing improvements to multiple facilities, especially in regards to the two fire stations that flooded in August.

The $1.5 property tax helps supply equipment and training needs.

At the administration location on Airline Hwy. facilities include a 'burn building' used to simulate real life fire emergency situations.

They also have education class rooms, fire truck simulation driving, among the many training tools.
 
Resident Candra Dunn recently witnessed the massive fire first hand at Cobblestone Apartment Complex on Essen Lane.

The 'Our Lady of the Lake' employee said the firefighter's efficiency is what saved so many lives.

"If we didn't have the firefighters, the whole building might have caught on fire." Said Dunn.

She says she's voting yes to both renewals.

As for the cost of these property taxes to residents, on average it costs roughly $90 a year for a homeowner of a $200,000 house.

"Without that, they're going to spend the money on insurance or they're going to spend the money on taxes, so it's kind of a win-win for everybody. They get a good service and they save money on insurance in the long run." Fire Chief Tarleton said

To learn more about the ballot items, visit www.stgeorgefire.com

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