If you are a resident of the Odessa Fire District, you are encouraged to attend a public hearing next week to form the Odessa Area Consolidated Fire District. The proposed district includes the entire village of Odessa and portions of the towns of Catharine, Cayuta, Hector, Montour, and Veteran.
The Odessa Fire Department released a list of pros and cons of forming the Consolidated Fire District:
Advantages of Forming a Fire District
–It’s in the best interest of the residents to eliminate differing tax rates; the rate is based on combined assessed valuation. All residents within the District will pay the same rate.
–Tax levies by the fire district will free up town or village property tax revenues.
–Fire protection tax levy no longer applies to town or village real property tax cap.
-A consistent and stable budget for the fire district will allow the department to implement long-range planning and purchases.
–Eliminates the instability of funding from year to year due to annual negotiations with different jurisdictions which may be financially stressed due to the tax cap.
–Provides transparency as they operate under state laws and regulations for governance under the watchful eye of the Office of the State Comptroller.
–Provides for self-governance, positive morale, and a focal point of responsibility.
-A district is an individual governmental entity, governed by state laws.
–Provides stable governance and management, not subject to the fiscal pressures of others.
–Can concentrate on the sole mission of the provision of fire protection.
–Village and Town politics removed from fire district governance and operations.
–The State has greater oversight over fire districts unlike village-controlled departments or fire protection districts; there is increased accountability. That includes annual audits and a host of regulations laid out in state statute: Page 6 of 13 Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York.
–All voters would have greater influence over fire protection spending by electing commissioners and voting on all debt incurred.
–If the Town reduces funding for contracted areas covered by a Village, the Village in turn may reduce service to the Town requiring the Town to find additional funding.
–Exposure for VFBL coverage is transferred to the fire district.
–Budget accountability, separate from town or village, taxpayers see where money is going.
–Fire Districts may establish taxpayer-approved reserve funds.
–Districts save on interest costs by use of reserve funds for large purchases.
–Creates a legal mechanism for residents to participate in capital project referendums.
–Creates a legal mechanism for residents to have equitable ownership of fire protection assets for which they fund.
–Operation of Districts is based on Statute, Town Law General Municipal Law et al, which Boards must follow.
–Fire protection is managed by local publicly elected officials who complete specialized training courses and concentrate on providing one service to the community.
Negative Aspects of Forming a Fire District:
–Perceived loss of control, by Towns that Contract for fire protection.
–Opposition by local elected officials.
–Differences in union contracts, wages, retirement systems or benefits.
–Turf wars.
Wednesday’s meeting will be held at the Odessa-Montour High School auditorium starting at 6 o’clock
