Huron could seek fire levy

HURON — In 1999, "SpongeBob SquarePants" premiered on TV, boy bands dominated the pop charts, and many people freaked out over Y2K, a potential computer crisis entering a new millennium. It's also the last time voters approved a new-money tax for Huron's fire operations, permitting first responders to best protect and serve the public. During a recent public meeting, city government officials informed elected council members about their desire to place an additional/replacement levy on May's ballot. Council members agreed with the proposal. Still in the preliminary phase and not a certainty yet, an operational levy would, among other aspects: • Offset rising expenses to purchase necessary equipment, such as vehicles • Treat patients and rescue them in life-saving incidents; Presently, there are 16 full-time and 33 part-time firefighters. • Cover costs for vastly needed station upgrades Voters who reside in the city and Huron Township could vote on this matter. In the 27 years since locals last approved a new-money fire levy, from 1999 to present day, city officials have only asked for renewal levies, meaning, when approved, taxes didn't increase. But now, because of today's economic climate, an adjustment to Huron fire's tax rate is needed more than ever, according to two officials overseeing this effort. With help from Huron fire Chief Kevin McGraw and city manager Stu Hamilton, here's what people need to know: Q: Why is this needed? SH: The last (new-money) levy that passed was in 1999. The fire department has done such a good job of maintaining its budget with ever-increasing expenses and increasing service that, up until now, it never rose to the point of asking the taxpayers for more money. Unfortunately, that point has finally come. KM: For the last 27 years, the department has gone above and beyond to be fiscally responsible to ensure that stations are manned and apparatus with trained professionals are responding to any call for service. When the last levy passed, we responded to around 1,000 calls. In 2025, we responded to over 2,200 calls. Q: How is the financial picture impacting present-day operations? SH: Our revenue has been static since the original inception of the levy while our expenses have not. KM: Multiple projects have been put on hold or partially completed due to operating within the department's budget. The fire and EMS services have not been immune to the rising costs of inflation. Apparatuses are more expensive. Equipment is more expensive. Training is more expensive. There are some much-needed improvements to the city fire station that we've been unable to address. Nothing has gone down in cost, and our requests for service have gone up. Q: How much would a levy, in theory, bring in? SH: It should bring in an extra $513,000 a year. Right now, we operate with about $600,000 levy dollars annually. Based on the additional 1.5 mills plus existing levy funds, in total, it would bring in $1.1 million a year. KM: We also apply for any grants that are available and have been successful with several of them to provide us some more wiggle room, but we cannot rely on them as a steady source of funding. We have done our best to provide an essential service at a high level while continuing to be fiscally responsible with the tax dollars provided to us for the last 27 years. Q: If approved, how much could this new levy cost taxpayers? SH: It would be $53 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home. If we do get forward, and it does get approved in May, it would be applied to taxes in 2027. Q: If the levy proceeds, how will this message be relayed to residents? SH: The fire department will be the ones to communicate the levy. They will be holding open fire houses and doing general public education. KM: The department is working on an informational pamphlet to hand out to citizens. Members of the department are also able to answer questions when people see them out around town and not on emergency scenes. We are currently planning several open houses to allow the different neighborhoods to come visit the city fire station and see the trucks and equipment. I will, of course, be available to answer any questions or provide any information people may want. Q: What happens if a levy doesn't receive approval? SH: The existing fire budget is already strained. If it doesn't pass, then the first things that would be affected would be capital purchasing, like for fire trucks, ambulances and fire equipment. Q: If approved, how would this levy benefit fire operations going forward? SH: This would allow the fire department to continue the level of service the residents expect. The EMS call volume increases every year. The amount of fire calls increases every year. To maintain this level of service, the fire department needs some help. KM: We are extremely grateful for the support the Huron community shows us and ask that they continue it by supporting the proposed fire levy in May.