ST. CHARLES COUNTY • A 27-cent property tax boost rejected by Cottleville Fire Protection District voters in April will be back on the ballot Nov. 6.
District officials say the measure is needed to preventÌýpossible firefighter layoffs and occasional shutdown of some fire stations.
The latter could occur, Chief Rob Wylie said, ifÌýmanpower dips temporarily due to illness or injury. That likely would be one of the first moves made if the tax increase fails again.
"We actually put signs out in front of our firehouses Sunday" warning of possible closures, Wylie said. "We're at bare minimum staffing."
Opposing the plan is Steve McCoy, a former district board member and longtime critic of district spending.
"They're basically trying to hold a gun to the taxpayers' heads," McCoy said. "They say they're out of money" but haven'tÌýmade any substantial cuts.
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McCoy said, for example, that the district still pays the entire cost of its 41 firefighters' health insurance premiums and that employee benefitsÌýare too generous overall.
Wylie saidÌýbecause of tight finances,Ìýthe district'sÌýfirefighters unionÌýagreed toÌýforegoÌýa 4 percent pay raise authorized for this yearÌýby their current contract.
He also said employees are paying higher health insurance deductibles and "co-pay" amounts. He added that the district hasn't filled three vacancies.
Passage of the proposition, Wylie said, would allow the district to add 8 to 11 employees, improve trainingÌýand make needed equipment purchases such as breathing apparatus.
The April proposition was defeated by a 53-47 percent ratio, with less than 12 percent of registered voters in the district participating.
District officials hope they can do better in the presidential election, which typically draws higher turnout. A simple majority is needed for approval.
The measure would increase the district's property tax rate to 77.48 per $100 assessed valuation from 50.48 cents.Ìý The owner of a $150,000 home would pay nearly an extra $77 a year in taxes under the plan.
The district serves Cottleville and Weldon Spring plus parts of St. Peters, O'Fallon and Dardenne Prairie. Some unincorporated areas also are covered.
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