Hurricane Valley Fire District Funding on June 22 Election Ballot

Fire Chief Tom Kuhlmann Making Presentation At Public Hearing Tonight

This evening I attended a public hearing in the La Verkin city council chambers to provide information about Proposition 1 on the local ballot on June 22.  Only a few people came, which disappointed me, because I'm wondering how else they will get information to make their decision.

For many years, Hurricane city has provided fire service to neighboring communities in the valley, including La Verkin, Toquerville, and Virgin, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas of the county.  Three years ago a fire district serving these communities was formed, with a board composed of elected representatives from each town.

The period for transferring from Hurricane city operation to district operation is ending July 1.  Funding the district is what is on the ballot June 22.  If the voters authorize a property tax levy, it will be done that way.  If the vote is no, then residents of the various cities will have an additional fee on their city utilities bill for fire service.  A monthly fee would add 12% in administrative costs to the fire district budget (simply because a monthly fee is a less efficient means of collecting).  It woud also be difficult to administer in unincorporated areas without utility billings.

Doug Jr, you've asked for more info in my blog on what I'm involved in the city -- this report and what I posted last week about the Utah State University professor presenting his designs for beautifying the main intersection in our city are attempts to do that.

Please click here for a link to the brochure that was handed out at tonight's meeting. (It's on La Verkin's city website).  There are more public hearings coming up June 15, 16, and 19 to present this information again -- hopefully those presentations will be better attended than tonight's and the two previously held the past two nights.