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M/CLEAR Temp: 44 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Tuesday, April 1, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 19, 2003 Funds sought to improve Jacksonville fire readiness By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — Vocal opponents of November’s failed levy to raise $2.8 million for the Jacksonville Fire Department are now working with local officials to find alternate funding for department improvements. Dick Ames and Len Hebert, two members of the newly formed Ad Hoc Committee for Public Safety, say the city is "seriously under-protected" regarding fire safety issues. "We do not have fire protection today the way you would expect it to be," said Ames at a recent City Council meeting. After helping defeat the levy because it would have increased property taxes by $2.60 per $1,000 of assessed value, the committee identified several other funding options in recent weeks. Mayor Jim Lewis praised the committee members, saying it was unique in his experience for "people who fought an issue to then come together to find a solution." How to leverage funds to increase fire protection is still being debated, but all agree the current staff of 17 volunteers and one full-time firefighter needs augmenting. The committee wants to hire four additional full-time firefighters in order to staff the station seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The committee also wants to repair and modernize the fire station, acquire a second fire engine, increase the number of student firefighters from one to three, hire two summer-only firefighters for the brush fire truck and investigate the creation of a reserve force to help in the event of a major city fire. The committee initially recommended a $3 monthly surcharge on utility bills and a 3 percent surcharge on meals, which the City Council accepted at a February meeting. The proposal was later dropped after more than 60 restaurant owners and citizens voiced strong opposition to the meal tax. The committee’s current proposal is a $7 monthly surcharge on water/sewer bills that would generate $100,000 in the first year. The charge would be increased to $14.30 for the following two years to raise another $206,000. City officials have said if the proposal is approved, financial aid would be available for low-income people. City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen said the surcharge would be applied by address, not by meter. "For example, the 155 units at Royal Mobile Estates will be charged per unit, and not on its one meter," said Wyntergreen. Fire Chief Tracy Shaw said he hopes the new plan will be endorsed by the council. Shaw said Measure 50, a 1997 property tax initiative that required the consolidation of previous levies, has "limited resources extensively." "Our goal is to provide Jacksonville with a standard of care it can be proud of," Shaw said. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S