Voters in the East End community have approved a tax increase that will be used to increase funding fo the volunteer fire department.
A similar tax increase four months ago was turned down.
According to the Sheridan Headlight newspaper, Chief Darrell Feagan said his department faced difficult decisions after the initial tax increase failed and had several mandatory expenditures coming up that would have required cutting in other areas..
East End residents, who had been paying $95 per year, will see a $45 increase in their bill, bringing the total to $140 annually.
The East End Fire Department will have to buy new turnouts and a used ladder truck, he said, adding that replacing air packs firefighters wear when entering a blaze will cost a quarter of a million dollars.
