The Central Polk County Fire Protection District (CPCFPD) will have a special tax levy on the upcoming August 8 ballot. The fire protection district will be asking for an additional 30 cents per $100 assessed valuation from residents within their service area.
According to previous coverage, their current tax levy was set in 2013 at 30 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
CPCFPD Lieutenant Tom Morris says that the district has several goals in mind regarding the proposed tax increase.
“Currently, we are trying to upgrade our fleets, which are over 20 years old,” says Morris. “We don’t currently have the budget to upgrade.”
After figuring fuel, operating, and maintenance costs, Morris says that there isn’t enough funding to upgrade trucks, equipment, and other necessities for firefighter safety.
“We would also like to start hiring people to take care of the everyday calls to supplement the volunteer staff,” Morris stated.
Funds from the tax increase would also be used by the district to improve ISO ratings in order to lower insurance costs for residents. According to Morris, since the original tax levy in 2013, the district was brought to a Class 5Y ISO, resulting in a 10 to 15% insurance rate decrease. The district’s goal is to decrease their residents’ insurance rates even further in order to offset the tax.
If the tax levy increase is passed, the changes will take effect at the beginning of 2024.
This issue was proposed and failed for the second time in Nov. 2021, per previous coverage.
Absentee voting will start on Tuesday, June 27. Residents who wish to cast an absentee ballot can visit the Polk County Clerk’s office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The CPCFPD will be hosting their third Community Days event on Saturday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their Station 4 in Polk, located at 3619 State Highway D. Anyone interested in learning more about the tax levy is welcome to attend the event.
