To The Editor,
If the proposed fire tax increase passes on November 3, the Warrenton Fire Protection District revenue will climb by over 62%, a massive windfall in 2021. As citizens in this …
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To The Editor,
If the proposed fire tax increase passes on November 3, the Warrenton Fire Protection District revenue will climb by over 62%, a massive windfall in 2021. As citizens in this district, we are told our property taxes will decrease, but not until 2022, one year after the sales tax would take effect.
This is double taxation for the citizens!
Property taxes will decrease significantly less than the proposed sales tax increase. Warren County real estate assessed valuations have aggressively and continually increased for 10-plus years and are not stopping, leaving the citizens with pennies-on-the-dollar reductions while the Warrenton Fire Protection District’s revenues skyrocket.
The sales tax rate in Warrenton is already one of the highest in the state, exceeding areas in St. Louis City and County, Chesterfield, Wentzville, O’Fallon, St. Peters, St. Charles City and County. Warrenton sales tax rate will be as much as 30% higher than Wentzville, if passed. After the increase, Warrenton sales tax rate will be as high as 10.975%, or take a short drive to Wentzville and pay 8.45% at the same business. Do we want to jeopardize our hometown businesses in this way? This fire tax increase is permanent — no expiration date!
In 2019, the Warrenton Fire Protection District responded to 71 fire incidents, which represented less than 6% of their annual total calls of 1,214. However, in 2019, the Warrenton Fire Protection District responded to over 900 emergency medical and good intent calls, which represented 75% of their annual total calls. Why?
At the Pendleton town hall public meeting, the Warrenton Fire Chief was asked if the Warren County Ambulance District requested the fire department to respond to emergency service calls and the chief responded “No.”
Warrenton Fire Protection District salaries and overtime pay continue to soar, a 40% increase in salaries and a 265% increase in overtime pay in three years, from 2016 to 2019.
The bottom line is we need effective and efficient management of the current revenue by the Warrenton Fire Protection District, not another tax increase.
Tom Boos
Warrenton
