Sept. 4 Hearing Set For Leasburg Fire's Ballot

A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 4 on the Leasburg Community Fire Protection to establish itself as a district through voter approval.

The organization filed a petition in the 42nd Circuit Court on July 10 that would switch from the volunteer model to becoming an incorporated district.

Voters would have to approve the measure on an upcoming ballot.

If approved, it would create a tax levy and a board of directors. The levy would be 12 cents per $100 of assessed value.

The petition says there are approximately 750 inhabitants within the proposed boundaries with the estimated value of tangible property, real and person, at $30 million.

The district would inherit the current facilities and equipment of the fire department, along with purchasing additional equipment.

“The proposed district will succeed the volunteer fire department and will serve all inhabitants of the district as opposed to ‘members of the association’ thereby increasing fairness, rates and costs to all properties within the district including residential, commercial and agricultural properties,” the petition reads.

If the action is not approved by voters, “the district will lack any revenue source and as such would not be able to meet its financial obligations of basic operation.” 

The petition estimates the short term cost of improvements at $100,000. The long term costs range from $200,000 to $500,000.

Daryl McKisson, Jerry Conway and Thomas Fife are listed on the petition as the candidates who would be selected to the first-ever board of directors.

The candidate receiving the most votes would serve a six-year term, with the second-most votes receiving a four-year term and the third-most receiving a two-year term.