East End voters in Grant County last week rejected a tax increase that would have supported the volunteer fire department.
According to the Sheridan Headlight newspaper, the vote was 122 to114 and Fire Chief Darrel Fegen described the vote as “disappointing.”
The volunteer department was seeking an increase from $95 annually to $140, a $45 increase.
Feagan told the newspaper the increase was needed for several reasons, including buying a new fire truck. He went on to say the department needs a ladder truck because of the rapid expansion of homes in the area, as well as an ISO (Insurance Service Office) requirement.
The newspaper reported that the ISO requirement refers to the annual rating given to fire departments. East End currently has a 3 rating.
Feagan told the newspaper that if the ta had passed, there would have been a chance that the ISO rating could have been lowered to 1, which is the top rating possible and that could have resulted in lower insurance premiums.
He said the department also needed to replace the air packs firefighters wear and that would have cost $250,000. Feagan went on to say that major cuts might have to be made but declined to say what those cuts would be.
