Footville Fire Commission approves interim budget
FOOTVILLE — The Footville Fire Commission on Wednesday night approved an interim 2012 budget that doesn’t include nearly $16,000 from the town of Plymouth, which wants to switch its fire coverage to Orfordville.
The 12 northern sections of Plymouth Township have fire coverage through Footville but EMS service through Orfordville, Town Chairman Larry Harding has said. The town could save the $15,500 it pays Footville every year for fire coverage, and Orfordville would pick up the coverage at no extra cost, he said.
The change requires unanimous approval from the Footville Fire Commission, which voted last month to not approve the change.
The Footville Fire Department annual budget requires unanimous consent from its fire commission, of which Harding is a member. He voted against the budget this fall, telling the Gazette he was not going to OK a budget that includes a payment from the town of Plymouth.
“Plymouth isn’t planning on paying,” Footville village President Gary Selck said, “at least that is the indication I’m getting from them.”
Harding could not be reached Thursday afternoon.
The department likely would be OK without Plymouth’s portion because of grant money officials weren’t aware of at the start of the budget process, Selck said.
The fire commission will meet Wednesday, Dec. 14 to try to resolve the issue.
related STORIES
Nov 19, 2011 at 8:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
I agree snoozer - closest fire & ems should respond and leave the politics out! When someone needs help, they need it now and they don't care where it's coming from, as long as it gets there FAST!
I also agree that ALL of the Rock Co. fire/ems departments provide EXCELLENT care and service to their respective areas. Well put snoozer.
Nov 19, 2011 at 8:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
Center township citizens have the same dilema, citizens in the north side of Center Township are 7 or 8 miles from Footville, and only 3 miles from Evansville, but the Center Town Board and the Footville Fire Dept a few years ago decided to take this area over from Evansville Fire & EMS. Now that the tables are turned, the Footville Fire Dept is concerned for the citizens in Plymouth Township, what about all of the citizens in the North side of Center!!! What should happen in all areas, is to have the closet and quickest fire and EMS service provide coverage, keep the politics out of emergency services, keep the people who are needing emergency services in the forefront of these decisions is what should determine the boundries. All of the Fire Depts in Rock County provide excellent services, but the service boundries should be determined by which service can provide the quickest and best services, not the politics. I would encourage the Townships and the Fire Chiefs to get together to look at all boundries throughout the County and make adjustments based on people and not poltics and money alone.
Nov 18, 2011 at 10:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
RM_4 said it well. Footville has great service.
Nov 18, 2011 at 10:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
I feel sorry for the people in Mr. Hardings township. I really hope you never need the services of a fire department. Now you'll have to wait longer for Orfordville to get to you, when Footville could be there much sooner. Apparently Mr. Hardings home is closer to the Orfordville Fire Dept. so he is not concerned about response times for the rest of you. Good Luck Plymouth township with this clown in charge of your well being.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.