Letter: We don’t need another tax increase

Posted 3/25/21

To the Editor,

Why does the Board of Directors at the Warrenton Fire Protection District (WFPD) continuously present the voters with tax increase propositions instead of correcting the issue, …

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Letter: We don’t need another tax increase

Posted

To the Editor,

Why does the Board of Directors at the Warrenton Fire Protection District (WFPD) continuously present the voters with tax increase propositions instead of correcting the issue, mismanagement of the financials and operation? 

For the sixth time in less than seven years, the Warrenton Fire Protection District has placed a tax increase proposition on the ballot, a 33-plus percent tax increase on both real estate and personal property taxes. Overtime expenses have increased 264 percent from 2016 to 2019; overtime in 2019 was $107,181. 

The WFPD is in need of an audit, not a tax increase proposition. Re-establish the volunteer partnership that previously existed, eliminate wasteful, unnecessary spending. Effective financial management, eliminating wasteful spending, coupled with the 20-plus years of continuous revenue increases from growing assessed valuations within the WFPD eliminates any need for a tax rate increase. Less than 6 percent of 2019 annual service calls were for fires. 

Develop and stand up a culture focused on community and safety first. Eliminate chaos on ambulatory emergency calls. As stated in the Warren County Record, hostile working conditions exist and continue to prevail within the operation and management.

 The WFPD posted on Facebook on Feb. 15 the cost to taxpayers would be “one kids meal a month and a can of soda a week.” Why would we take food from our children so the WFPD can drive “Big Red” to the store to buy themselves lunch? The bottom line is we need effective and efficient management of the current revenue by the Warrenton Fire Protection District, not another tax increase.

Erick Rasche, former Warrenton Fire volunteer, past and last president of the Warrenton Volunteer Association
Thomas Boos, former Warrenton Fire volunteer
 
Letter to the editor

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