Crime & Safety

No Tax Increase Expected in Fire District Budget

The fire election vote is Saturday.

 

For the fifth year in a row, the fire district budget—which voters will go to the polls for Saturday—will pose no tax increase to residents here.

The total Cinnaminson Fire District budget for 2013 is $3,748,628. Of that, $2,741,234 will be raised by taxation. The remaining funds are from budget surplus, grants and more.

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In October, voters approved a referendum for the fire department to go out to bid for two fire trucks. About half of the $1 million needed for the trucks was saved for over the years, Fire Chief William Kramer said.

“We’re in pretty good shape,” Kramer said. “It truly is the work of all the different entities that make up the district—commissioners, management team and career staff.”

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Most of the fire district budget goes to salaries—about $1.9 million of it. Capital purchases and health insurance are second while vehicle maintenance and leases, utilities, programs and more make up the rest of the budget.

The fire district tax has remained the same for the last five years, Kramer said.

“It’s relatively the same budget with the exception of the apparatus acquisition,” Kramer said.

Kramer said he expects specifications on the two new trucks back from the district’s private contractor this week. They could go out to bid soon.

The vote will be held from 2 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at the community center.

“We do everything we can to keep the increases down,” Kramer said. “We see no reason why we wouldn’t get significant community support.”


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