West Deer fire tax collection may not start till '06
Collection of a fire tax that West Deer residents approved this month might not start until the middle of next year.
The fee, approved by a 69 percent to 31 percent margin in the Nov. 8 election, is capped at $40 per household and $100 per business. The tax is expected to generate about $225,000 each year and be divided among the township's three fire departments.
Tom DeMartini, spokesman for the three fire departments, said officials need to figure out who is going to be billed and how to handle situations such as renters and owners of multiple properties.
"There's still a lot of work to go," DeMartini said. "There may not be money generated until May or June."
The township's tax rate already is at its 1.7-mill ceiling. For the owner of a $100,000 house, that means a township tax bill of $170 a year.
Supervisor Chairman Ron Borczyk said the measure was intended to guarantee a steady flow of money "that wasn't dependent on changes in the board and changes in attitude -- a straight flow from the residents of the township."
Just in case the tax wasn't approved, the township set aside $150,000 for fire protection in the proposed 2006 budget, as it has in the past.
With approval of the tax, supervisors intend to reallocate the $150,000 to lower real estate taxes, pay other township expenses or reduce debt.
Several other municipalities dedicate a portion of their property tax each year for fire protection. Fire departments also rely on state and federal funding.
In Buffalo Township, Butler County, officials dedicate a half-mill, about $11,000, to both of the township's fire departments, according to Janice Zubrin, secretary-treasurer. It also donates another $25,000 to each department.
However, with an average operating budget of $80,000, the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department still depends on fundraising, said Oliver Hawk, assistant chief and member of the board of directors.
"I wish it could be more, but they have a budget they go by too," Hawk said. "With a lot fire companies, it seems we spend more time on fundraising than we do fighting fires."
Upper Burrell gives $15,000 a year to the fire department as well as reserving 35 percent of the recently imposed Emergency Management Service tax for the department, according to Kimberly Rittiger, secretary-treasurer.
Vandergrift reserves $12,000 total for the borough's two departments in addition to dedicating 1 mill, or about $25,000, to a special account to cover large purchases.
"The rest comes from state and federal grants and fundraising," said Jim Dunmire, treasurer for Vandergrift Fire Dept. No. 1.
"It would be nice if (the borough contribution) could be raised, but with the tax base the borough has, it's not easy," Dunmire said. "We have to be realistic when it comes to funding."
