The Concord Fire Department provides emergency services, personnel and facilities that are needed for the purpose of saving lives and property. Our Concord Township Fire Department is working diligently through this pandemic to keep our community safe despite their lack of decontamination spaces, storage or cleaning areas for personal protective equipment. Issue 1 is on the ballot to allow the Township to build 2 stations now and help keep our community safe. At the present time, the Township has $2.5 million cash on hand according to the records of Amy Dawson, Fiscal Officer.
What does the Fire Levy Provide?
Two new, up-to-code fire stations are designed to improve response times making our community safer while protecting the health of our first responders from carcinogens and other contaminants they encounter during calls. It would allow enough storage space to properly store and maintain the equipment that is paid for by taxpayers. There is currently no space for proper storage and maintenance of equipment within the current fire stations. For example, several of the departmentâs fire hoses were eaten by mice at the Red Barn location. There is no space to store PPE at either of the current stations.
These stations, constructed in the 1960s, are not up to the current standards of 2020. The projected life of the existing facilities was estimated to be 50 years when they were built in the 1960âs. The stations, and their standards from the 1960s, are different from the stations in 2020 as to size and housing capacity. Compared to the 1960s, Concordâs population is 4-5 times greater today. A greater population creates a greater number of response calls for service. The contemplated new stations are designed in recognition of the Townshipâs increased population and service calls as compared to the 1960s.
For the benefit of the residents of the Township, the actual conceptual plans of the two stations can be reviewed here.
How much will it cost?
Concord taxes are in the bottom third of all tax rates in Lake County. This is true even though the total of the Township tax rates include both Concord Township as well as tax portions from schools and other public agencies.
The $8 million bond issue for the fire stations is .60 mills ($21 per $100,000 of valuation). For example, a $300,000 home in the Township, based on the .60 mills levy, establishes an annual tax of $63 per year â or â $5.25 per month. The Township is providing 30% of the cost from existing revenue.
Is your zip code 44077?
The current Morley Library .70 mills levy expires at the end of this year for all Township residents residing in the 44077 zip code.
Historically Low Interest Rates
In todayâs economy, interest rates are low and construction costs are generally stabilized. These factors should provide the ability to secure favorable rates and bids.
Please contact us with any questions:
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