Fire Service Threatened In Black Forest

Black Forest Fire is asking voters to approve a mill increase in November to cover a considerable cut in revenue. They estimate a $500,000 shortfall in 2012.

Kathy Russell, Black Forest Fire Public Information Officer, said it’s a combination of ambulance and property tax revenue on the decline.

They are proposing a 4.25 mill increase.

“It’s a particularly tough time to propose a mill levy increase to our citizens,” said Walt Seelye, FireWise Coordinator. But he adds it hasn’t been done for 20 years.

If the mill levy doesn’t pass, Russell said they will be forced to let some firefighters go. They believe fewer fighters will directly impact their service capabilities, particularly response times.

“I was just over there the other day. I gave them a $20 donation. If more people did that maybe we wouldn’t have to raise the mill levy,” said Sandra Nickle, resident. But, she said, she would vote in favor of the increase.

Another Black Forest resident also expressed his concern over the possibility of losing some service. “If you consider where we live, in the middle of pines, and they tend to burn it is surely good to have a quick response,” said Luigi Morelli.

For more information on the levy increase proposal, visit the Black Forest Fire’s website. http://www.bffire.org/District/Budget/budget_home.html