CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — A Yes vote on Nov. 5 for a 12-cent levy increase in Mid-County Fire Protection District (MCFPD) would keep the district from having to downsize, Chief Scott Frandsen says.
According to a statement released by the MCFPD Board of Directors, the levy, if successful, would only be used to maintain the current level of service and would not be used to obtain any new vehicles or add any new paid personnel.
The district has never had an increase to its general operating levy since it was formed in 1986 and says it cannot keep up with current costs for repairs, maintenance and insurance. The district has made some cuts to operations; however these cuts have not been sufficient to offset budget shortfalls. It has been using reserve funds and federal grants to continue annual operating costs over the last several years.
Frandsen noted MCFPD covers 220 square miles—about three times the size of some other local fire districts. He also refuted rumors that the district is in the midst of constructing a new facility. “That’s Lake Ozark Fire District… they’re building a new fire station on Welch Road… It is not in Mid-County,” he emphasized.
If the levy is unsuccessful, additional substantial cuts will be required. Also in a press release, the MCFPD Board of Directors stressed this levy increase is the minimum required to maintain the district’s current level of services.
Voting locations will be at the regular Camden County polling places:
- MCFPD Station No. 3 on AA in Roach
- Ozark Bethel Church on Route J in Roach.
- Camdenton VFW Hall on South Business Route 5 in Camdenton
- Community Christian Church in Camdenton
- Knights of Columbus Hall in Camdenton
- Myetta Missionary Baptist Church Decaturville
- Church of Freedom in Freedom
- Peace Lutheran Church Greenview, Mo.
- The Ha Ha Tonka Park Maintenance Building in Camdenton
- Buffalo Prairie Baptist Montreal
- Autumn Village in Sunny Slope Subdivision in Camdenton
For more information call MCFPD at 573-346-2049.
