Jackson Twp. Fire District #3 Offers Clarity on 2/15 Ballot Questions

As Ballots Hit the Mail, Jackson Twp. Fire District #3 Provides Clarity on Budget Referendum Questions

With a budget referendum for essential life saving services slated for February 15, Jackson Township Fire District #3, which funds Fire Station #55, is taking no chances with clarifying the two referendum questions on which residents are being asked to vote.

“The wording of the questions is not written by our fire district, and it is confusing. We believe it is our responsibility to make sure people understand what they are voting for – whether they vote by mail or come in to Fire Station #55 to vote in person on February 15,” said Frank C. Hruschka, Commissioner in Fire District #3.

Confusing Questions/Important Impacts

The questions on the budget referendum for Jackson Fire District #3 are worded as follows:

QUESTION NO. 1: Shall the Board of Fire Commissioners for Fire District No.3, Jackson Township be authorized to expend $5,883,763.89 in Budget Year 2025 with $5,399,215.25 the amount to be raised by taxation?

QUESTION NO. 2: Shall the Board of Commissioners of Fire District Number #3 in the Township of Jackson be authorized to increase the 2025 amount to be raised by taxation in the Fire District annual budget, by 10.7% or $500,000 as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.45, notwithstanding that its amount to be raised by taxation will exceed the two percent (2.0%) increase limitation.

Here’s What They Mean:

Question 1 is about the Budget and includes the $500,000 being requested in Question No. 2.

Question 2 does NOT ask for any additional funding beyond what is already accounted for in Question 1.

Here are the Outcomes of How Jackson Twp. Fire District #3 Citizens Vote

If both Questions are DEFEATED VIA “NO” VOTES, $500,000.00 would be CUT from Fire Station #55’s funding.

If they are both APPROVED VIA “YES” VOTES, the following can occur:

• The continuation of two paid firefighters, thus ensuring that Station #55 can respond to fire calls on weekends and holidays, between 6 AM- 6 PM, without having to cut critical budget line items in order to compensate them.
• Intensive maintenance and corrosion abatement on Station #55’s 17-year old Tower Ladder truck, the only one in the township, in an effort to delay refurbishment or replacement.
• Training of new and seasoned firefighters to comply with statewide certification changes, and to ensure firefighters are skilled to handle novel 911 emergencies, such as electric car fires. Training costs an average of $833 per firefighter per year.
• Radio purchases and replacement of firefighter turnout gear due to recent safety findings. Inflationary costs put this expenditure at $22,269 per firefighter.
• Delayed maintenance on Station #55’s 54-year-old, District-owned building to move toward the goal of providing a 24/7/365 response. Bathrooms, heating and the creation of sleeping quarters to allow for a faster response time are included in the proposed budget.

“The impact of this budget referendum passing is just $8 a month for the average household. Call volume is up, and our ability to respond is critical. For the sake of ensuring public safety, we hope people take the time to understand the budget before they vote,” said Hruschka.

Two Ways to Vote

In-person voting will be held at Jackson Fire Station #55, Saturday, February 15, from 2 PM- 10 PM. The fire station is located at 113 N. New Prospect Road, in Jackson.

Voters can also submit their ballot by mail, but must have it postmarked by February 15 and received by February 17 to be counted. To request a ballot by the February 8 deadline, (visit https://www.oceancountyclerk.com/frmelectionservices

Citizens are encouraged to visit the website www.jacksonfiredist3.org/budgetupdate/ for information about the budget.