Residents will be voting on three seats for the Board of Fire Commissioners and the proposed 2018 budget with a .65 cent tax increase.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, Mt. Laurel residents will have the chance to vote on the proposed 2018 budget for Mt. Laurel Fire District No. 1.
If approved, the budget would increase the district’s tax rate by .65 cents, raising the overall fire district tax rate from 16 cents to 16.65 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Those figures would bring the district’s overall amount of revenue raised through taxation to
$9,635,002, which is an increase of $463,228 from the 2017 budget figure of $9,171,774.
Using the average Mt. Laurel home price of 237,700, a resident would see an increase of $15.45 for the year if the proposed budget is approved.
Overall budget appropriations for 2018 are set at $10,489,939.
According to Deputy Chief Christopher Burnett, this year’s budget has funds set aside for capital purchases the district views as necessary in short-term and mid-term planning.
Burnett said such items include the purchase of new radio equipment outside the county’s allotment to municipalities to comply with the upgrade of Burlington County’s Emergency Communications radio system, which was done to adhere to new federal mandates.
According to Burnett, half of district’s frontline apparatus fleet is 15 years old, and under National Fire Protection Association recommendations, apparatus that age should be placed in reserve. Burnett said the district also has support vehicles that will require replacement as they approach 10 years of age.
“Planning ahead by placing money aside will offset some of these purchases required in the short- to mid-term,” Burnett said.
Burnett said the budget would also allow the district to continue staffing all three of its fire stations with career personnel at all times, while also allowing the district to continue recruiting volunteers to improve response time.
According to Burnett, the district is also continuing to evolve and plan for events outside of fires, such as active shooter situations.
As such, for 2018 Burnett said the district is planning to acquire protective equipment for its firefighters and to also collaborate in training with local law enforcement.
“The world we live in is ever-changing and we’re trying to stay current with the demands placed on us to better protect, serve and add value to the quality of life in our community,” Burnett said.
In addition to voting on this year’s budget, residents can also vote on three open seats on the district’s Board of Fire Commissioners.
Commissioners David Ridenour, Richard Hamilton and John Cornue are running unopposed.
Polls this year will be open on Feb. 17 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the district’s three fire stations — the Masonville Fire Station №361 at 105 Masonville Road, Fellowship Fire Station №362 at 3824 Church Road and Headquarters Fire Station located at 69 Elbo Lane.
More information on the proposed 2018 budget and election can be found on the district’s website, www.mountlaurelfire.com.
