VFD to discuss creation of ESD #4

A Town Hall meeting will be held on Saturday, May 22 at Center Hill Baptist Church in Linden at 5:00 p.m. by the Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department to discuss the creation of Cass County Emergency Service District #4 which will include the Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s coverage area.

The Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department has been in operation since October of 1990. It has survived off $2,800 per year from Cass County and additional donations from the community and surrounding areas. However, their goal with the creation of the Emergency Service District #4 is to better outfit their firefighters with gear and equipment and make much needed upgrades that they haven’t been able to do for the last few years due to lack of funds.

In a Facebook post detailing the Town Hall meeting’s agenda, Keith Duncan first asks that everyone who wishes to support the Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department give their signature. “We have to have 150 signatures by June 1 in order to get everything ready and sent off to Austin to be on the ballot for the November election,” he said. Secondly, he asks for supporters’ votes in the election to help get the upgrades going. “Everyone that we have talked to and gotten signatures from so far has been all for it.”

For home and property owners who might be wondering how this will affect their taxes, Duncan explains that they are going for the maximum of $0.10 per $100 off of tax rolls. “For example, if your place is valued on the tax roll for $100,000, your taxation cost for the year would be $100,” said Duncan. But, as far as the people go, Duncan assures nothing will change. “It will be the same faces, and hopefully more will join in the future,” he said.

Those wishing to lend their support and signature are encouraged to reach out to the Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department before June 1.