By Mary Owen
The Sublimity Fire District will ask voters to approve a small hike to an existing bond measure May 15.
We’re asking for a $950,000 bond measure to replace two of our aging fire engines,” said Chief Brandon Hamilton. “That would raise the tax rate 9 cents per thousand of assessed value above what’s already being paid.”
Bond Measure 24-327 would increase an average $200,000 home owner’s taxes by $18 a year, Hamilton said.
“Currently residents are paying about 30 cents per thousand of assessed value for a 20-year bond measure that was approved in 1998,” he said. “This would raise the amount homeowners pay to 39 cents per thousand and extend the measure, which expires in 2018, to 2026.”
Hamilton hopes homeowners will view the amount as a drop in a very big bucket of district need for the two new structural fire engines, he said.
“National standards recommend replacing fire engines after 20 years of service,” Hamilton said. “One of our three fire engines – two at the main station and one at the Drift Creek substation – is 30 years old. The fire pump on the front only pumps about three-quarters of what it should pump. And it’s only a two-man engine.”
To fight a structural fire, a minimum of four firefighters are needed, Hamilton said.
“The ideal is six,” he added. “Two to go inside, two outside on back up, one to run the pump, and one to act as incident commander. So with the two-man engine, we have to wait until other units show up.”
The second rig, purchased in 1993, turns 20 next year, according to Hamilton.
“Calls have risen since we got it, and it has had a pretty busy ride,” he said.
Maintenance costs have gotten to “that nickel and dime stage” on the rig, Hamilton said. “It’s starting to cost money to keep it. Just last month, we had to put $3,800 into it.”
Due to advanced age, the district is financially struggling to keep the older engines functional as well as the rest of the district’s apparatus, he said.
“In 2009-10, we spent more than $19,000 in maintenance for apparatus,” Hamilton said. “In 2010-11, we spent over $25,000. This current budget year, we’re already sitting at just shy of $16,000.”
The bond would ensure the replacement of the two engines, reducing the amount of money used to repair and maintain the apparatus. If passed, it would also provide funds to purchase equipment for proper outfitting or the new apparatus, he said.
“The board and I are keenly aware of the economic climate,” Hamilton said. “We’re asking for an amount that will strictly just meet our needs. We’re hoping people will realize we’re not going after a want list, but to maintain a standard and do what’s in the best interest of the community.”
Now in its 100th year, the Sublimity Fire District will continue to serve the community with highly skilled staff and volunteers along with good quality fire apparatus, Hamilton said.
“We look forward to the next 100 years of serving this community,” he added.
