Do they need the money?
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Editor,
In a previous letter, I wanted to alert people that the Polson Fire Department may start directly billing you and me for responding to traffic “incidents.” A question arises: do they need the money? After all, none of us want to deny adequate funding for our fire and police men and women.
Here are some relevant facts: at the end of the last three fiscal years, the Rural Fire District had money left over. Specifically, in the past year, even after spending over $35,000 on non-budgeted items, they still had $35,000 left. (Note that these surpluses occurred while providing responses to traffic “incidents.”)
In July they approved a 2010-11 budget of $125,875 for operations and $83,600 for truck payments. According to the Lake County Treasurer’s office, they will receive tax revenues of $296,004 – an $85,529 windfall.
Do they need more money? Let your voices be heard.
Tom Eddy
Polson
