Tax Increase For Oswego Fire On Primary Election Ballot

OSWEGO, IL — Area residents planning to vote in the General Primary Election in June will see an added question on their ballot. The Oswego Fire Protection District is seeking a "rescue" tax rate increase of .10 percent. If approved, the increase would cost homeowners $33 per year for every $100,000 of a home's market value, which translates to a $99 per year increase for the owner of a $300,000 home.

The Oswego Fire Protection Board of Trustees unanimously adopted an ordinance Monday seeking voter approval for the "rescue tax" that would provide additional funds to the fire department. According to OFPD officials, trustees explored all avenues of funding before approving the ordinance.

The tax, according to the department, is needed to provide additional money to maintain services, cover the cost of apparatus and equipment as well as operating costs, which "have outpaced current funding."

Call volume has increased in recent years as the population has continued to grow. The district — which covers all of Oswego, as well as parts of Plainfield, Montgomery, Yorkville, and Will and Kendall counties — has grown from 27,000 residents in 2002 to a current 70,000, according to fire officials.

Without the rescue tax, fire crews will not be able to provide the same level of service as ambulance availability will decrease while response times increase, officials said.

"The Oswego Fire Protection District prides itself on providing the best services possible to the people we serve," officials said in a Tuesday news release. "Whether it is responding to a severely injured child, a tragic house fire or a senior citizen that is having trouble breathing we will always be there."

Officials continued to say: "With costs continuing to rise, we are seeking funds to ensure that we maintain current services."

Ahead of the June 28 election, OFPD officials said they will offer informational meetings to various groups within their district. A Friends of Oswego Fire committee has also been formed, according to the release.

More information about the meetings will be made available through the district's website. Residents with questions can also email Fire Chief John Cornish at chief@oswegofire.com.