To the Editor:
The South Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners has scheduled voting on their proposed 2014 -2015 budget of $4,997,011 for Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the firehouse.
If approved, the mill rate would increase from 3.648 to 4.331 or an increase of some 18.7%. Additionally, spending is proposed at $391,331 or an increase of 8.4%.
Capital spending totals $573,500 and includes $500,000 New Pumper, $38,500 Staff Vehicle and $35,000 Station Improvements. During the recent budget workshop sessions there was sometimes limited and confusing information presented relative to justifying such unusual spending.
With a proposed budget that does not have the support of every commissioner, it is clear that such a process was at times rushed,especially with updated fiscal information only being made available to some commissioners and members of the public at the start of the final workshop.
Certainly, the proposed budget warrants further discussion and disclosure to assure that taxes are not needlessly increased throughout the district with the struggling public having to bear the burden.
With such a budget continuing to provide for commissioner payments ,it seems that the hard working firefighters as well as the district taxpayers are being short changed.
Most importantly, please remember to vote on Tuesday , April 29,2014 and please help us all by voting NO !
Dan Penney
Middletown
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