Starting Jan. 1, 2019, the Perry-Clear Creek Fire Protection District will be renamed the Monroe Fire Protection District.
The name change is to reflect the district’s future growth from two townships to three, as it will soon include Indian Creek Township.
This is the first major change to the fire district since it was created in 1987.
Meri Reinhold, Indian Creek Township Board member, said there are still issues that need to be worked out between now and 2019, such as passing a budget, assessing equipment and integrating the two fire department operations.
Julio Alonso, a Perry-Clear Creek Fire District Board trustee, called the merger a practical plan for fire protection that would help all three townships if the city of Bloomington were to try to annex county land again in the future.
"The fact is that township fire departments were given a gift when annexation was delayed," Alonso said of the city's failed attempt to annex nearly 10,000 acres earlier this year. The annexation plan was blocked by the Indiana Legislature in April.
Township fire officials were concerned the city's annexation attempt would have weakened fire service in the unincorporated areas of the county. Some townships would have lost a significant portion of their tax base to the city, which translates to less tax revenue collected to help pay for fire department operations.
Township officials say the Indian Creek merger will result in improved fire protection services in the rural township, with more personnel and equipment at the Indian Creek fire station located along Rockport Road near Kirksville.
Currently, one firefighter is at the station for 10 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Perry-Clear Creek Fire Chief Dustin Dillard is proposing two firefighters at the station on 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. Additionally, the district plans to operate out of the existing fire station.
It is estimated the additional operations will increase the district's annual budget by around $225,500. For 2018, the district has a budget of around $2.5 million.
Dillard said the fire district already responds to calls in Indian Creek through a mutual aid agreement. The two township fire departments also share personnel — four volunteers work at both stations, and one fire district firefighter works at the Indian Creek station part-time.
"This will consolidate fire protection resources so that each township gains assets, equipment and personnel," Dillard said.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved the expanded fire district Wednesday.
County Commissioner Julie Thomas said the merger may also lower homeowners insurance rates because of improved fire protection services.
Not all residents are convinced the changes will bring better service. An Indian Creek resident spoke out against the consolidation at Wednesday's meeting. Tracy Stull said his fire service is likely to come from the Van Buren Fire Department because of the proximity from his house, and those of his neighbors, to a Van Buren station. Stull said he did not see it worth paying higher taxes for such service.
Indian Creek property owners will likely pay more on their property taxes because of the merger, an increase of an estimated 7.5 to 7.7 percent. Currently, Indian Creek residents pay around 6 cents per $100 of assessed value for fire protection provided by Indian Creek Firefighters Inc. Starting in 2019, that increases to 15 to 16 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The owner of a $100,000 home in the township could see their tax bill increase from around $378 to $406, according to a report from consultants.
For residents in Perry and Clear Creek townships, property taxes are also estimated to increase, but significantly less than those in Indian Creek — less than a 1 percent increase. According to estimates by the Umbaugh and Associates consultants, a $100,000 home in Perry and Clear Creek Townships would pay an additional $2 to $3 if Indian Creek joins.
The fire district provides protection services for Perry and Clear Creek townships and staring next year, on Jan. 1, the district will provide service for Salt Creek and Polk townships through annual contracts. Now, with the merger approved, the district will be serving five of Monroe's 11 townships in 2019.
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