Webster Considers Fire Territory Formation
February 6, 2020 at 2:16 a.m.
By Deb McAuliffe Sprong-
The possibility of the partnership was discussed at a workshop Jan. 30, but the town council was uncomfortable with several aspects, including a lack of an official budget proposal and upcoming public hearings.
The process “got shoved too far forward,” said council President Lisa Strombeck at a gathering of officials Wednesday, adding that they wouldn’t know how to answer public questions yet because they didn’t have enough information themselves.
Plans of some sort of partnership have been considered for several years. Dave Rensberger, assistant chief of the North Webster Fire Department, said Wednesday that they talked to Syracuse two years ago, but “we were shot down.”
“If I was Syracuse, why would I want to raise (the tax rate) 3-1/2 cents to support North Webster?” reasoned Ed Clayton, a Tippecanoe Township board member.
“In the end, it’s all about dollars and cents,” said Councilman Dan Thystrup.
Strombeck asked if the town would lose local control by combining with Syracuse.
“We would have a say-so,” Clayton said, “but … Syracuse would hold all the cards.”
Chris Francis, Tippecanoe Township trustee, understands the financial concerns, but he believes the issue is bigger than that. “I don’t want my taxes - I don’t want anybody’s taxes - to go up, but we have to provide protection.”
Francis said there were 24 times in 2019 that an ambulance from another agency had to respond to a call in Tippecanoe Township.
He said there were approximately 600 ambulance calls in 2019, and that each call averages “around two hours, give or take.” That means “600 times two hours … we have not had ambulance service in the township.”
Rensberger said his agency responded to 120 fire calls in 2019, not counting ambulance calls.
A budget increase created by a new partnership would go only for staffing and benefits, Francis said.
“You have to have good employees,” said clerk-treasurer Betsy Luce.
Thystrup said three business owners have thanked him for representing their interests because “we need to watch our expenses,” adding later that it’s important to all of us to have businesses in town.
“Where are they going to go in this county, where the tax rate is any lower?” Luce asked.
Councilman Dave Waliczek said they need to “explain it to our people; if they want it, they’ve got it, and if they don’t, they won’t.”
Strombeck suggested North Webster form a territory with Tippecanoe Township, adding later, “We don’t want to see their service go out of town.” She asked Francis to “keep the numbers coming.”
“Why don’t we give it a couple months,” said Francis, adding that he will be meeting with another agency on Friday.
Luce suggested they revisit the idea in April, after the agencies have provided solid information on the budget, potential tax impact and other factors involved in a partnership.
“Get all your figures together so when we meet in two months we can talk about this again,” Strombeck said.
The possibility of the partnership was discussed at a workshop Jan. 30, but the town council was uncomfortable with several aspects, including a lack of an official budget proposal and upcoming public hearings.
The process “got shoved too far forward,” said council President Lisa Strombeck at a gathering of officials Wednesday, adding that they wouldn’t know how to answer public questions yet because they didn’t have enough information themselves.
Plans of some sort of partnership have been considered for several years. Dave Rensberger, assistant chief of the North Webster Fire Department, said Wednesday that they talked to Syracuse two years ago, but “we were shot down.”
“If I was Syracuse, why would I want to raise (the tax rate) 3-1/2 cents to support North Webster?” reasoned Ed Clayton, a Tippecanoe Township board member.
“In the end, it’s all about dollars and cents,” said Councilman Dan Thystrup.
Strombeck asked if the town would lose local control by combining with Syracuse.
“We would have a say-so,” Clayton said, “but … Syracuse would hold all the cards.”
Chris Francis, Tippecanoe Township trustee, understands the financial concerns, but he believes the issue is bigger than that. “I don’t want my taxes - I don’t want anybody’s taxes - to go up, but we have to provide protection.”
Francis said there were 24 times in 2019 that an ambulance from another agency had to respond to a call in Tippecanoe Township.
He said there were approximately 600 ambulance calls in 2019, and that each call averages “around two hours, give or take.” That means “600 times two hours … we have not had ambulance service in the township.”
Rensberger said his agency responded to 120 fire calls in 2019, not counting ambulance calls.
A budget increase created by a new partnership would go only for staffing and benefits, Francis said.
“You have to have good employees,” said clerk-treasurer Betsy Luce.
Thystrup said three business owners have thanked him for representing their interests because “we need to watch our expenses,” adding later that it’s important to all of us to have businesses in town.
“Where are they going to go in this county, where the tax rate is any lower?” Luce asked.
Councilman Dave Waliczek said they need to “explain it to our people; if they want it, they’ve got it, and if they don’t, they won’t.”
Strombeck suggested North Webster form a territory with Tippecanoe Township, adding later, “We don’t want to see their service go out of town.” She asked Francis to “keep the numbers coming.”
“Why don’t we give it a couple months,” said Francis, adding that he will be meeting with another agency on Friday.
Luce suggested they revisit the idea in April, after the agencies have provided solid information on the budget, potential tax impact and other factors involved in a partnership.
“Get all your figures together so when we meet in two months we can talk about this again,” Strombeck said.
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