Winona Lake
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
I would like to commend the current town council of Winona Lake on their support of the Winona Lake Volunteer Fire Department and for their fiscal responsibility and prudent analysis of the needs of our community.
In 2008, there was a great deal of talk regarding fire territories. After much consideration and analysis, it was clear that joining the fire territory was not a fiscally responsible move to make. Winona Lake residents currently pay property taxes at a rate of approximately $1.76 per $1,000 of assessed value. Joining the fire territory would have resulted in an approximate $64 increase per $1,000 of assessed value in our property taxes. Joining the fire territory meant town fire equipment could be absorbed into the fire territory’s inventory. Thus, Winona Lake would no longer own any fire-fighting equipment.
When town council reviewed the proposed agreement, they concluded the residents of Winona Lake would gain minimal additional services. Their analysis revealed our taxes would increase but our service level would remain the same.
While studying other communities’ experiences with fire territories, it was also noted that once a town entered into a fire territory agreement, it becomes very difficult to leave. Upon leaving the territory, the town would have to repurchase all of the fire equipment given to the fire territory at a great expense.
Winona Lake residents have been protected and served by an all-volunteer fire department since 1914. The decision to continue this tradition for our residents saved our town more than $400,000 per year in increased property taxes.
Recently, our town council purchased a new fire truck to replace a truck that was more than 20 years old. The average serviceable life of a fire truck is approximately 15 years and the cost to replace this pumper truck, which will last the town another 15-20 years, is roughly $17,000 per year. Once again, if we compare the purchase of this equipment at $17,000 per year to the cost of having joined the fire territory at $400,000 per year, the town council saved the taxpayers of Winona Lake approximately $383,000 per year. The new truck also has up-to-date fire suppressing foam capabilities resulting in quicker fire control and less property damage.
A recent purchase of a ladder fire truck now enables our firefighters to reach the heights of the new Grace College dormitories, the upper floor at Grace Village Assisted Living, the condominiums at Park Avenue and the Orthopedic Capital Center. The former ladder fire truck did not have the capability of reaching those upper floors.
I would like to thank the town council of Winona Lake for their support and wisdom in protecting the townspeople of Winona Lake. It is gratifying to finally have a council that understands the importance of the safety of our residents and it is for that reason I will be casting my vote for: Sue Gooding, Terry Howie and Randy Swanson on May 3.
Roger Gelbaugh
Former Fire Chief
Winona Lake Volunteer Fire Department[[In-content Ad]]
I would like to commend the current town council of Winona Lake on their support of the Winona Lake Volunteer Fire Department and for their fiscal responsibility and prudent analysis of the needs of our community.
In 2008, there was a great deal of talk regarding fire territories. After much consideration and analysis, it was clear that joining the fire territory was not a fiscally responsible move to make. Winona Lake residents currently pay property taxes at a rate of approximately $1.76 per $1,000 of assessed value. Joining the fire territory would have resulted in an approximate $64 increase per $1,000 of assessed value in our property taxes. Joining the fire territory meant town fire equipment could be absorbed into the fire territory’s inventory. Thus, Winona Lake would no longer own any fire-fighting equipment.
When town council reviewed the proposed agreement, they concluded the residents of Winona Lake would gain minimal additional services. Their analysis revealed our taxes would increase but our service level would remain the same.
While studying other communities’ experiences with fire territories, it was also noted that once a town entered into a fire territory agreement, it becomes very difficult to leave. Upon leaving the territory, the town would have to repurchase all of the fire equipment given to the fire territory at a great expense.
Winona Lake residents have been protected and served by an all-volunteer fire department since 1914. The decision to continue this tradition for our residents saved our town more than $400,000 per year in increased property taxes.
Recently, our town council purchased a new fire truck to replace a truck that was more than 20 years old. The average serviceable life of a fire truck is approximately 15 years and the cost to replace this pumper truck, which will last the town another 15-20 years, is roughly $17,000 per year. Once again, if we compare the purchase of this equipment at $17,000 per year to the cost of having joined the fire territory at $400,000 per year, the town council saved the taxpayers of Winona Lake approximately $383,000 per year. The new truck also has up-to-date fire suppressing foam capabilities resulting in quicker fire control and less property damage.
A recent purchase of a ladder fire truck now enables our firefighters to reach the heights of the new Grace College dormitories, the upper floor at Grace Village Assisted Living, the condominiums at Park Avenue and the Orthopedic Capital Center. The former ladder fire truck did not have the capability of reaching those upper floors.
I would like to thank the town council of Winona Lake for their support and wisdom in protecting the townspeople of Winona Lake. It is gratifying to finally have a council that understands the importance of the safety of our residents and it is for that reason I will be casting my vote for: Sue Gooding, Terry Howie and Randy Swanson on May 3.
Roger Gelbaugh
Former Fire Chief
Winona Lake Volunteer Fire Department[[In-content Ad]]
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