The second in a series of three public hearings was held Monday night at the Community Center in Hamlet where a few members of the community attended to learn more about the potential formation of a Fire Protection Territory in Hamlet.
More revenue is being sought to help the Hamlet-Davis Township Fire Department afford varying costs in the department as the Davis Township budget has hit its maximum fire levy. The way to create more funds is to raise property taxes and put that revenue into a Fire Protection Territory budget.
The fire department’s current budget covers basic needs, utilities, gas, and some repair and equipment, but it does not allow for new gear to replace outdated, expired gear, insurance, and costly safety testing that should be done on an annual basis.
The fire department does receive generous donations throughout the year, but it is not enough to sustain a fire department.
The formation of a Fire Protection Territory would gather enough funds for a proposed budget of $99,000 where a lot of items could be paid for that cannot be done now due to budget constraints.
A lot of discussion Monday night centered around the proposed tax increase of 3 percent for Town of Hamlet residents and 6.2 percent for Davis Township residents. It was proposed that the town and the township rate be raised the same instead of evening out what each district pays as its percentage of property taxes to fire services. A 4 percent raise was proposed for each rather than at the 3 percent and the 6.2 percent increases. Tippecanoe Township Trustee Bill Jones from Tippecanoe County, the financial advisor in this process, did not agree with that proposal as he believes that both entities should pay the same amount into the Territory as he presented.
No decisions were made. The last public hearing on the topic is set for Tuesday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. CT at the Community Center in Hamlet. Following last public hearing, the Davis Township Advisory Board and the Hamlet Town Council members will meet to individually vote on the possible formation of the Fire Protection Territory in a meeting to be scheduled yet this month.
