According to current preliminary voting results, District voters did not approve of Ballot Measures 6A and 6B. The measures would have helped the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District maintain and enhance its services and stabilize funding being lost and threatened by the Gallagher Amendment.
“We are hurt and frustrated that we have let our communities down,” said Fire Chief Jeremy Young. “We will continue to educate our residents and business owners on the current and future needs of the District so that lives and property always remain as the highest priority. We were planning for the future in a proactive approach, unfortunately this outcome has delayed current staffing needs and future public safety infrastructure.”
The two (2) ballot measures became a priority through the District’s long-term planning and as the population of the Fire District has increased by 660% since 2000. The District’s call volume for emergency services has also grown by 50% in the last five (5) years and continues to increase. The last mill levy increase for the Fire District was twelve (12) years ago, in 2006.
The two ballot measures were to ensure the District would be able to keep providing the same high-level all hazard response that includes, advanced life support ambulance and fire protection, within the Towns of Frederick and Firestone. In order to do this the District needed to hire nine (9) paramedic firefighters, begin replacing its aging apparatus fleet, and build an additional three (3) fire stations in the next 10 years to serve the growing areas of our community. As a Special District, the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District is funded solely from property taxes and receives no money from local municipalities or from the state.