By HOLLY GASKILL
An informational meeting about the potential consolidation of fire services was met with a pointed stance against the matter by a group of firefighters, residents and elected officials Thursday night.
The overarching sentiment of the group was that the county shouldn’t meddle in townships’ fire coverage.
The Wells County Council President Seth Whicker announced the information meeting during the council’s meeting last month. On Thursday, he and Commissioner President Jeff Stringer said they had wanted to provide the opportunity to learn and discuss consolidation with the fire departments, township trustees and boards, and concerned residents.
Paige Sanson and Susan Cowen from Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors presented the basic information about fire territories and fire districts, which are methods to consolidate the finances and tax revenue of fire departments. Territories and districts vary in how they can be created, their function and potential dissolution, but ultimately both create an avenue to increase taxes to support fire departments and EMS services.
According to Sanson and Cowen, neither territories nor districts require changes in the staff, equipment, or structure of a fire department — they only affect the funding.
“It’s an increase in taxes, let’s not lie about it,” Commissioner President Jeff Stringer summarized. “It’s an increase in taxes.”
A group expressed they were under the impression that the county was moving forward with this consolidation — with or without each township’s permission. Multiple individuals alleged this consolidation would lead to the closure of departments or a shift away from volunteer fire departments.
Both claims were refuted by Whicker and Stringer, who explained they merely wanted to discuss options as some fire departments have encountered issues with staffing and funding. However, they recognized they may have not communicated well with every party about the purpose of the meeting.
Sanson also stressed that a township cannot be forced into a contract for a district or territory, nor is it common for a countywide district or territory.
While there was some disagreement on whether or not the fire departments needed the assistance, Whicker stressed that Wells County EMS has been at a deficit for many years. Whicker reported that the fund that supports EMS operations, established through the sale of the Wells County Hospital, has roughly four to five before it completely dwindles.
Given the resistance to consolidation from the fire departments, it was suggested that the county could establish a district or territory only for EMS services. However, Sanson said the Indiana Code currently requires a fire department to be in a district or territory.
Moving forward, Stringer said he wanted to investigate all of the county’s options to fund emergency services. He and Whicker also tasked the audience with continued involvement in discussions.
“I’m not sure what the solution is — I’m not even sure what the problem is yet,” Stringer said. “That’s why we wanted to hold this meeting … But collectively, we’ve got to get on the same page.”
holly@news-banner.com
