Baldermann Supports New Lenox Fire District Referendum

NEW LENOX, IL - On Tuesday, March 20, thousands of voters from the New Lenox Fire Protection District will decide a key question on their Will County election ballots. The question asks the voters whether they want to increase their tax rate by 0.2023. The current tax rate for fire services would increase from 0.3877 to 0.59. This week, the village's three-term mayor told New Lenox Patch that he intends to support the Fire Protection District, which is a separate taxing body and receives no funding from the village. Mayor Tim Baldermann said he believes the tax increase being sought by the fire protection district is justified.

"I understand, unfortunately, in our state we're a property tax reliant state, and that's a problem down in Springfield they need to address," Baldermann told Patch.

From Baldermann's perspective, it's vital for New Lenox not to let its fire and emergency rescue services slip. Having mediocre or poor service for emergency response calls would negatively impact his growing village's quality of life.

"You want to keep quality of life ... our fire department does an exceptional job, and you don't want to see a loss of services. We want to keep a professionally trained fire department representing and taking care of our residents. This is not an area you want to cut yourself out."

Over the past several weeks, a number of New Lenox residents have made public comments on social media forums expressing both their support and their opposition to the fire district's tax rate proposal on the March 20 ballot.

"I think the fire department has a tremendous amount of support in the community, but the difficulty is for people with taxes. But I'm supportive of our department," the mayor stressed.

If the ballot question is approved, the owner of a $300,000 home could expect to pay an additional $202 in annual property taxes to New Lenox's Fire Protection District. The owner of a $200,000 home would pay nearly $135 in additional taxes.

PATCH Q AND A: New Lenox Fire Referendum 10 Things To Know

Main Image via New Lenox Fire Protection District, image of Mayor Tim Baldermann via New Lenox