FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The referendum passed  but we have included several of the pages
from our website relating to the referendum for reference for the public.

Lake Zurich
Rural Fire Protection District
 Announces Changes

The area where you live is protected by the Lake Zurich Rural Fire Protection District. It differs from a municipal fire department in that it is a self-supporting entity: it levies a tax that is paid as part of your annual county real estate tax bill to pay for Ambulance, Fire and related Emergency Services. This is the Fire District’s principal revenue source. The law does not provide for us to receive sales tax revenue from retailers.

Respecting the decision of the residents in the District to not support the District’s November 2, 2004 referendum questions and raise taxes at that time to provide full emergency services response levels on a 24/7 basis, the District has begun adjusting coverage’s in preparation for the long term implementation of necessary reductions. As an interim measure, and in the best interest of “life safety”, all District stations are now staffed for ambulance service. Fire engines have been eliminated at two of the District’s fire stations so that personnel could be redistributed enabling ambulance service at all stations. Fire response will come from one District Station and the downtown Lake Zurich station, yielding lengthened response times. This will continue until May 1, 2005 at which time the District will no longer have the funds to continue this interim format and will have to return to complete closure of one of the District’s stations on a rotational basis.

It is our hope that during the April 2005 vote the District’s residents will recognize that the minimal tax increase being requested would provide an extraordinary high value return in ensuring the overall security and quality of life we have enjoyed in our community up until recently. Those who have experienced some reduction in response time during the recent cutbacks can relate their feelings about the impact to their sense of security. The rest of us should think of ourselves in similar scenarios to assess the level of concern we have prior to the next referendum in April. Your vote is very important to the total Fire Protection District, please consider your priorities and vote.
 

Original Press Release

 

Acknowledging the decision of the residents to not support the District’s November 2, 2004 referendum questions, and raise taxes at this time, to fully restore emergency service response levels, the District has begun preparation for the long term implementation of the necessary reductions.   

“Throughout the Cook, Dupage, Kane, Lake and Will county area 12 similar referendums and the necessary tax rates to support services were also declined by voters” says Ed Coutre, President of the District who also noted that voters are voicing their acceptance of reductions in personnel, increases in station closings and the increased risk that is inherent with longer firefighter and paramedic response time.  As the Daily Herald pointed out says Coutre, and we strongly agree, “this is the wrong direction for a District which has over the past several years managed to reduce response time to the four-six minute range consistently by opening and adequately staffing new stations” and more importantly adds Coutre, while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in Lake County. 

With this being the second such rejection of needed funding, the District is preparing for the mid and long term changes this will drive reflecting reductions in costs to match tax revenues which provide 95% of expense funding:

Mid Term

    December 1, 2004 through May 30, 2005

    Rotating station closings on a monthly basis

December
Station 4/Kildeer and Deer Park

January
Station 3/Hawthorn Woods, Forest Lake and Echo Lake

February
Station 2/ North Barrington

March
Station 4/ Kildeer and Deer Park

April
Station 3   Hawthorn Woods, Forest Lake and Echo Lake

May
Station 2/ North Barrington

Each station will be clearly signed during the month it is closed and primary response firefighter/paramedic coverage will be assigned from the remaining stations.

During this period the District will consider options to either continuation of rotational closings, a permanent closing or other options and combinations to ensure a continuing balance of costs and tax revenues

Long Term

       April, 2005 – the question will again be put to referendum, the last legal window to do so until March, 2006.

If adequate funding is approved at referendum the District will obtain a tax warrant loan to fully restore services no later than June, 2005 and carry the  revenue requirements until the actual tax monies are realized in June, 2006. 

If funding is not approved, at referendum, the District will implement the necessary changes from its considerations for balancing cost/revenue/service. 

It is our hope that the voters in April, 2005 will recognize that the minimal tax increase being asked provides an extraordinarily high value return in ensuring the overall security and quality of life we enjoy here and more importantly when we find ourselves silently wishing the emergency services could respond faster.