After a second attempt Thursday night, the formation of an Argos Fire Protection Territory has passed.
The formation of a Fire Protection Territory would raise money through an increase in property taxes to help pay full-time EMTs and pay for necessary equipment for the EMS and the Argos Fire Department. The fire service would remain a volunteer service.
The Green Township Board members convened Thursday night to discuss the topic again. The Argos Town Council members and the Walnut Township Board members reached a majority vote at the March 4 meeting to approve the Fire Protection Territory and the Equipment Replacement Fund as part of the territory. Thursday night’s meeting was a chance for Green Township to have a conclusive vote with a full board present.
At the March 4 meeting, Green Township Board member Jim Fishburn voted for the territory and member Dean Zechiel voted against the territory creating a stalemate. The third seat on the board was vacant, but the seat was recently filled in a caucus in order to have a third board member and full township board to vote on the matter. Anna Barlow was chosen to fill the seat at the Republican Party Caucus last week.
Two residents who were in attendance for the public comment portion of the meeting Thursday night at the Argos Town Hall asked if Barlow was qualified to vote on the matter as she does not currently pay property taxes. Barlow explained that next year she plans to own about 40 acres of land and will be subject to the tax increase just as other property taxpayers. Attorney Jeff Bellamy, who specializes in fire territories and meetings such as the one held Thursday night, commented that she is qualified to vote as she simply is a Green Township Advisory Board member.
Several farmers have spoken out against the increase saying they carry most of the burden when it comes to property taxes and do not want to see the increase.
The presentation concerning the need and the property tax information was not given during Thursday night’s meeting. A question was asked if there is another way to go about getting more money for fire and EMS. Bellamy said a request of the county commissioners to use certified shares for public safety toward the cause, but it would not solve the issue as a Fire Territory would.
When it came to a vote, Jim Fishburn and Anna Barlow voted in favor of the territory while Dean Zechiel voted against it. Fishburn and Barlow also voted in favor of the Equipment Replacement Fund and Zechiel voted against it. With a majority vote, the Argos Fire Protection Territory was approved.
Bellamy told MAX 98.3 FM News that the next step would involve sending all signed documents to the Department of Local Government Finance by April 1. It will be up to those officials whether or not to formally approve the Fire Territory. Bellamy suggested that notice could come before budget time, although taxes will not be collected for the Fire Territory until 2022. It will be when it is approved by the DLGF that a Fire Territory Executive Board would be formed to oversee its operation.
