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HOWARD -- The Howard Fire Company is looking to potentially increase its fire tax.
The fire company hosted a public meeting at the station last week to inform residents of their funding needs and to educate those who may not be familiar with what is commonly referred to as the fire tax -- which municipalities can add to local property tax bills and is then given to the fire company.
Funds are used by the fire companies to upgrade and maintain their equipment so that the volunteer responders can provide the residents and business owners with fire protection and emergency medical services.
Howard Fire Company provides coverage to Howard Borough, as well as the townships of Curtin, Howard and Marion, all in Centre County.
The majority of those in attendance were numerous HFC members, along with several representatives who serve on Howard Borough Council and the supervisors from the three municipalities were on hand to hear the fire company's request of adding a one mil increase to the tax bills of property owners. Volunteers from Howard's neighboring fire departments, the Beech Creek-Blanchard Fire Company and the Walker Township Fire Company, were also at the public meeting.
Fire Chief Collin Alterio gave an overview of HFC's mission statement, fleet of apparatus, fire company response to incidents and manpower hours contributed by the volunteers.
Alterio, who has been a HFC member since he was a teen, has been the fire chief since September 2010.
"Last year the fire company responded to 175 fire related calls and 189 medical emergency calls. Volunteers contributed some 3,905 manpower hours in the form of running response calls, attending training classes and working at fundraisers, like Punkin Chunkin, the company's biggest annual fundraiser," Alterio said.
"Howard Fire Company's response area encompasses some 115 square miles, which amounts to a lot of area but not much in the form of population. In addition to the main fire station in Howard, there is a sub-station in Marion Township where an engine rescue truck is garaged to enable a quicker response to calls in that area of the fire department's coverage area in Marion Township," said Alterio.
Several Amish in the Marion Township area are active members of the HFC, and a quicker response can be directed for them to get to the substation.
Supervisor Archie "Butch" Gettig, Jr. often is one of the fire company's licensed drivers of those fire company units that respond from the substation to emergency situations.
Howard Borough, Howard Township and Marion Township residents are currently assessed a one mil fire tax which generates about $44,000 in annual income for the fire company.
Marion Township recently adopted an increase to two mils for their township taxpayers.
Curtin Township does not have a mil assessment, but does contribute financially to the wellbeing of the fire company.
Curtin Township also contributes funds to Beech Creek-Blanchard Fire Company since it responds to the town of Orviston located in the township. The BC-B Ambulance responds to calls in the Curtin Township area as well.
Each of the municipalities contributed financial assistance to the Howard Fire Company, which enabled the department to purchase their two newest pieces of fire fighting apparatus.
Two used 2013 Twin Pierce Engine Rescues were purchased for close to $650,000, and with the help of nearly $146,000 contributed by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds provided to the fire company by all of the municipalities, the fire company was then able to obtain a low, 2 percent interest loan for $400,000 to finance the remaining balance for over 20 years.
According to HFC President Bill Nearhoof, the townships are governed by the regulations of a Second Class Township Code, wherein Section 1553 of that code states "(a) that the township shall be responsible for ensuring that fire and emergency medical services are provided within the township by the means and to the extent determined by the township, including appropriate funding and administrative costs for these services, and (b) the township shall consult with fire and emergency medical service providers to discuss the emergency services needs of the township."
Howard Fire Company representatives have been attending monthly meetings in the borough and all three townships asking for the tax increase, to better budget and be able to afford the maintenance and eventual purchase of newer firefighting equipment that will be needed.
HFC wants to see each municipality adopt a two mil fire tax. Nearhoof added that the next replacement in their fleet would likely be a QRS vehicle equipped to respond to medical related emergencies.
For those property owners who want to know what that additional mil would cost, the charge is $1 for every $1,000 of assessed real estate value. An example is that if your property is assessed at $60,000 then your fire tax for one mil would be $60 annually. Two mils would double that annual charge on your tax bill.
Residents can call the Centre County Assessment Office at 814-355-6721 to learn more about the impact the mil increase would mean for their own tax bills.
Supervisor Rick Miller, who isn't opposed to paying the annual amount for a one mil tax on his own property, said Centre County government should be doing a better job of making the fire tax mil fair for all taxpayers.
Curtin Township's general tax rate is one of the lowest in Centre County at only $0.97 for each $1,000 of property and structural improvement values.
Miller further elaborated that "Curtin Township has a lot of camps and mobile homes in the township that pay a very low general tax amount because of their assessed value," but that other property owners with homes or acreage with their properties are paying more based on the higher assessed value of land and structural improvements.
"I'd like to see the county set a flat fee of (say) $25 for each property owner so that everyone contributes a fair amount. Those with camps and mobile homes won't pay anywhere close to what I, or someone living in the township with a higher assessed property value than mine, would pay, but yet they're getting the same benefit from the fire company," Miller said.
Curtin Township Supervisor Jeff Harter indicated to The Express the township does, and has always, made donations to the fire company.
"We may not be able to afford to give what the Howard Fire Company and Beech Creek Fire Company wants from us, but we do give money to support the fire companies," said Harter.
Harter went on to say, "if taxes have to be raised in Curtin Township then we, as supervisors, will keep our township resident's best interests in mind. I would like to see more residents sit in on our monthly meetings so that they can voice their concerns and opinions to situations that come up. That way we, as their supervisors, can have their input to make the best decisions that we can for all of our township residents."
Residents are encouraged to attend their local borough and township meetings to give their input on the proposed tax hikes. Residents may also contact Howard Fire Company for additional information on the fire tax and proposed increase in taxes as well.