Clark County Fire District 6 held two public hearings in July where we discussed whether to ask voters to restore funding for emergency services. It has been difficult, but necessary, for us to share that we are starting to struggle to provide an adequate emergency response.
Call volumes have increased 31.25 percent in 10 years (10 percent in the past year alone) as has the cost to provide emergency services. We’ve cut expenses and dipped into reserve funds to the point where we don’t have an appreciable amount left.
Since 1995, our voter-approved fire levy rate has fallen to $1.27 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The board passed a resolution that will ask voters to restore the levy rate to $1.50 on the November ballot, which would provide funding for daily operations, firefighter training, apparatus and facility improvements.
As chair of the board of commissioners for Clark County Fire District 6, I want to thank the members of our community who called, wrote letters and emails, or attended one of the meetings to share their thoughts. Your input meant a great deal to us in our deliberations.
