93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
President Jim Cunningham has been with the Southern Boone Fire Protection District since 1985. He’s seen major growth in the Ashland area, meaning more work for his volunteer team.
“So far, we’re ok. But we are seeing a disturbing trend where the increase in the number of call is increasing beyond the rate we can put on new firefighters.”
The fire district has put a 12-cent property tax increase question on Tuesday’s ballot. Cunningham says it actually gets the rate back where it used to be, and this is the first time the fire district has requested a tax hike.
The new money would go toward a paid on-call system for firefighters, and administrative costs for a chief and clerk, according to Cunningham.
“The time is now to change the way we’re operating a little bit, and get some compensation flowing to some of the people who have been providing these services for free so that we can ensure they’re there in the future.”
