In this episode we are talking to the current Fire Chief of Winfield Fire Protection District, Steve Evans.
Here is an overview of the situation in Winfield, Illinois and why this podcast is so important;
Media Advisory
Winfield Fire Protection District Referendum
CONTACT: Chief Steve Evans, 630-653-5050, [email protected]
January 10, 2020
The cost of providing the public safety services delivered by the Winfield Fire Protection District has seriously outgrown the resources available to support them. Consequently, the District has initiated a Referendum seeking voter approval to increase its tax revenues to an amount that will assure a level of service in keeping with the expectation of its residents, and will yield a tax rate that will still be significantly below that of other fire districts in our area.
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, and is determined to continue to keep those rates low versus our surrounding communities. Winfield’s tax rate has, however, fallen dangerously below the level necessary to sustain quality services. The Winfield Fire Protection District’s current maximum authorized tax rate is at 36 cents per one hundred dollars of assessed value for property owners, which is less than half of other fire districts in our area. In an effort 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 safety gear/equipment for the firefighters and paramedics.
The Winfield Fire Protection District responds to over 2,000 emergency calls per year, an increase of over 33% from 2009, and more than double since the tax cap took effect in 1991. The Winfield Fire Protection District is a separate taxing body from the Village of Winfield and is financed by property tax revenue and ambulance fees. The Winfield Fire protection District has also negotiated for significant grant funding from Northwestern Medicine, but receives no revenue from sales tax, or other similar sources.
This referendum seeks voter approval for the funding to bolster firefighter/paramedic staffing levels, along with the tools, equipment, and resources necessary to respond to the growing number of emergency calls the Winfield Fire Protection District responds to annually; and to restore those issues which have been deferred including vehicle repairs, facility repairs, and safety gear and equipment for the firefighters and paramedics.
The Referendum will be submitted to the voters of the District at the General Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and only applies to the portion of the voter’s tax bill that is designated for the Winfield Fire Protection District.
