The Wright City Fire Protection District’s Proposition S will ask voters April 2 for a 17-cent tax levy increase.Chief Ron MacKnight said for the district to maintain the ability to provide professional services to the community, this increase is vital.“Maintaining the level of service our community has come to expect is our No. 1 goal,” MacKnight said, adding, “Without additional funding, we cannot possibly do this, either efficiently or safely.”The ballot reads:“Shall the Board of Directors of the Wright City Fire Protection District be authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than 17 cents ($0.17) on the $100 assessed valuation to provide funds for the support of the District?“The District intends to use the proceeds for the purpose of proving quality emergency services to the community by keeping current staffing levels, maintaining all four fire stations within the district and ensuring access to appropriate training for its staff.”The vote to put the issue on the ballot came at the fire district’s January board of directors meeting with Director Dr. Justin Fears making the motion for the levy increase with Director Jeanette Woehrle seconding the motion. The motion carried 5-0.Board President Rudy Jovanovic said, “as Directors of the WCFPD, it is our responsibility to promote public safety and fiscal responsibility. We have listened to the concerns of our community and the board feels we have proceeded accordingly.”The 17-cent levy increase would take the current rate, $0.4126 per $100 of assessed valuation, to $0.5826 per $100 of assessed valuation. The cost of the levy for a home valued at $200,000 is roughly an additional $5 per month.Wright City Fire Protection District logo