Halltown Fire Dept. may get big boost

 Ballot measure would convert Halltown Fire Department into fire protection district
 
On Tuesday, April 6, voters in Halltown will be asked to approve a ballot measure that would convert the Halltown Volunteer Fire Department into a fire protection district that will be supported with a tax levy of $.30 per $100 of assessed value, instead of by dues. If the ballot measure is approved, a board of trustees (a board of directors) consisting of five members elected for six-year terms, would also be elected to govern the new fire protection district.
Ginny Carson, who is one of the candidates running for a seat on the board of directors, said the fire department is asking voters to approve the measure because they can no longer operate on membership dues.
“Operating as a membership-based department is no longer a suitable means for adequately funding fire departments,” she said. “We have worked diligently to operate on a limited budget, but with only a portion of our residents paying membership dues, we struggle to keep up with increasing costs of equipment and operation.”
Basic equipment for one firefighter costs $3,500, Carson said. Converting the fire department into a fire protection district would mean more funds for firefighters, meaning they would be better equipped.
“The department sends out letters to every household in its area requesting $60 annually per property to fund the department,” Carson said. “We never know (how much we’ll have) year to year, depending on who pays and who doesn’t. Becoming a fire protection district (would mean) everyone would be supporting the fire department.”
Converting the fire department into a fire protection district would mean that the Halltown firefighters would have a membership in the Missouri Association of Fire Protection Districts (MAFPD), which Carson said would also provide several other advantages. These would include greater protection against frivolous lawsuits, more influence on legislation in Jefferson City, greater support from other fire protection districts, and access to the (MAFPD) staff attorney without charge (unless the matter is complex or lengthy).
For more information, call the Halltown Fire Department at (417)749-9912, or visit their Facebook page.