This election cycle, GVFPD voters are being asked to approve a mill levy increase to sufficiently fund increased emergency & non-emergency services and the rising costs of operations and equipment.
GENERAL INFORMATION
GVFPD is currently operating using up to a maximum 7.65 mill levy approved by the voters in 2003. In the 15 years since, our community, its demand for services as well as overall operations costs have dramatically changed.
GVFPD is run by an elected five-member Board of Directors, 13 volunteer First Responders and covers 56 square-miles.
Roughly 95% of the GVFPD's funding comes from local property and ownership tax. Of the $184,347 in revenue for 2017, $160,826 came from property taxes.
Without the increase in the mill levy, GVFPD will have to make significant adjustments affecting staffing of volunteer First Responders, firefighter safety, level of service and continued education and training.
Ballot Issue 6B will support reducing emergency response times, firefighter safety, increased training and the growing demand for emergency and non-emergency services.
GVFPD'S BIGGEST CHALLENGES
Unable to rely on State/Federal Grants for financial support
Current funding does not allow us to meet the cost demands for equipment gear and training that is required for additional First Responder recruits in order to support our growing communities.
A grass fire doubles in size every 4 minutes
A stroke victim has a 2x improved chance for full rehabilitation for a 15 minute reduction in first aid
Our volunteer First Responders have day jobs; having multiple First Responders available to the Fire Chief is critical.
Maintain Acceptable (8B/10) Rating with Insurance Companies
WHERE WILL MY INVESTMENT GO?
If approved, Issue 6B will afford GVFPD the necessary funding to implement a Plan in order to work towards achieving the following goals:
Respond to community growth in the recruitment of additional First Responders (firefighters and EMT's)
Adequately maintain and aim to increase current service levels and response times
Sufficiently maintain equipment, vehicles and buildings
Achieve financial sustainability
WHAT WILL THIS COST?
On average, it is estimated that the proposed mill levy will result in a $12/month increase to your property taxes which equates to an estimated $144/year.* *subject to your property assessment value To precisely calculate the proposed mill levy increase amounts for your property and access your current individual property summary, visit: https://www.larimer.org/assessor/search#/property/ and enter your property coordinates and/or ownership details.
