2024 Proposed Levy Override

PLEASE BE AN INFORMED VOTER!!!

In an effort to achieve operational goals for fire and emergency medical services throughout the community, the Middleton Rural Fire District (MRFD) Board approved a resolution to place a levy increase on the November 5st ballot. The levy increase, subject to approval by 66.67% of voters, would add $2,225,000 to the District’s annual operating budget.

The levy override revenues would secure funding for:

· Maintaining current operations and firefighter retention

· 24/7 staffing for Station 54 at 26476 Harvey Road

· Firefighter protective gear and safety equipment

· Improving response times throughout the 110-square-mile service area

· Reducing demands on downtown Station 53

Before making this decision, the Board explored alternative financial strategies and issued a community wide survey to gather input regarding prioritization of fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) as well as resident sentiments regarding a potential levy override. A total of 282 responded to the survey, with more than 82% indicating they were supportive or very supportive of a levy override.

Current Conditions

The District’s annual operating budget, funded 97% by property taxes, is insufficient to support the operational needs of the District. Recent statutory limitations on annual operating budget increases have reduced allocations for taxes on new construction. Inflationary cost increases, paired with significant population growth and development of previously rural areas has created a budget shortfall. The District’s current annual operating budget cannot sustain the inflated operating costs and staffing needs. Without a long-term solution the District’s ability to provide timely responses for emergency services will continue to diminish.

Despite significant growth within MRFD’s service area, fire protection facilities have not increased since 2002. The only station currently serving MRFD’s 110-square-mile service area is Station 53 in downtown Middleton. The District's current response time within the downtown station service area is up to 5 minutes. The response time outside downtown's Station 53 service area ranges from 5 to 20 minutes.

The implementation of development impact fees in 2020 has enabled the District to refurbish Station 54 and purchase fire apparatus for that location; however, impact fee revenues are restricted and CANNOT be used for annual costs of personnel, firefighter safety equipment and operational expenses.

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Levy Override Purposes and Goals

The proposed levy override would provide funds for maintaining current operations and firefighter retention, firefighter protective gear, and staffing of Station 54 which is centrally located in MRFD’s 110-square-mile service area. The additional 24/7 firefighter/EMT coverage will accommodate the current needs of our District and improve our ability to respond to emergencies throughout the entire District. Reduced response times save lives and property and contribute to improved ISO ratings, which can result in lower insurance costs for residents.

Read on to learn more about previous actions to address costs, growth, and recent statutory changes that all contribute to the current fiscal challenges facing the District.

MID-STAR FIRE - Sharing Expenses, Leveraging Resources

In 2019 a collaborative partnership, which has become known as MidStar Fire, began between MRFD and the Star Fire Protection District (SFPD). The two entities entered into an agreement to share administrative leadership positions. Since then, the partnership has evolved and the two Districts now share a Fire Chief, District Administrator, and administrative support staff as well as Deputy and Battalion Chiefs that lead and oversee daily operations of both Districts. This partnership has resulted in significant cost savings amounting to over $430,000 in personnel costs per year for each District allowing funds for additional firefighters and more “boots on the ground.” The MidStar Fire partnership also currently optimizes daily staffing levels throughout the three stations within the two Districts to reduce overtime costs associated with vacancies.

The Middleton and Star Districts also participate in collaborative purchasing of supplies, firefighter protective gear, apparatus, and equipment. The increased purchasing power saves both Districts substantially throughout all areas. In 2020 the Districts saved an additional $30,000 in apparatus purchasing alone.

Due to the increased costs of fire engines and a three to four year wait time for delivery, the MidStar Fire partnership has also worked collaboratively to locate a vendor that is able to refurbish older fire engines and restore them to like new condition for half the cost of a new engine.

Development Impact Fees – Restricted Funds

In 2020, MRFD implemented development impact fees that are assessed on all new construction. Impact fees are restricted funds and can only be used to fund new facilities and apparatus with at least a ten-year life cycle. Impact fees CANNOT be used for replacing current stations or apparatus, or annual operating expenses (personnel, equipment, firefighter protective gear, and general overhead cost). As of January of 2024, we have collected over $1 million in impact fees.

Currently, MRFD is using impact fees to refurbish the existing building on Harvey Road, north of Goodson, which will serve as Station 54. Impact fees will also be used to purchase the required fire apparatus for Station 54. The new facility will accommodate fulltime firefighter/EMT crews.

Our Growing District

The District has experienced population growth of approximately 25% since 2018 and now serves more than 28,000 residents. The number of structures has increased by more than 2,000 during that same time period. Planned subdivisions and recent historical growth patterns suggest continued growth, with a projected 2028 population of more than 36,000.

An increase in fire and medical emergencies, local and commuter traffic, and more structures necessitate the need for more firefighter/EMT personnel to achieve optimal response times and maintain public safety standards. Calls for emergency services increased to more than 1,500 calls in 2023.

Fiscal Challenges

While the District’s focus is maintaining emergency service levels and response times throughout its large service area, the collective effect of statutory budget growth limitations implemented in 2021 and increased operating costs have become even more challenging as the District’s limited budget authority is unable to keep up with the demand for emergency services.

Unlike cities and counties, fire districts are not authorized to charge fees for services and therefore are unable to increase fees to help fill the budgetary gap. Approximately 97% of MRFD’s annual operating income is derived from and relies on property taxes.

We can all appreciate the attempts and desires to decrease property taxes, unfortunately the impact of such legislation has been devastating to fire and EMS agencies across the State.

In addition, inflationary increases in operating costs and equipment purchases have also had a negative impact on our annual budgets. The cost of fire equipment and supplies has increased 20% to as much as 100% over the past three years. The District’s current annual operating budget cannot sustain the inflated operating costs and staffing needs to keep our firefighters safe and provide protection of life and property to our community.

Levy History and Estimated Cost of Proposed Levy Override to Taxpayers

The District’s levy rate has decreased at an unprecedented rate since 2016. If current growth trends continue, it is projected that, even with the proposed levy override which will improve fire protection and emergency medical services, the overall MRFD levy rate will continue to decrease.

Based on current conditions (value of property in the District as of 2024), the estimated annual cost of the proposed override increase to homeowners is $61.72 (or $5/month) per $100,000 of taxable assessed value after the homeowner’s exemption (owner-occupied homes are eligible for a homeowner’s exemption of 50% up to a maximum of $125,000).