Fisher River receives votes to increase fees

Lincoln County Commissioners approved the increase of service fees for the Fisher River Fire Service on Wednesday.

The service fee would be increased from $90 on each housing unit in the district to $140. The increase will include additional funding for the coverage area and equipment costs and increased fuel costs. Additionally, a type 2 commercial structure fee was set at $280 and a type 3, or gasoline sales, structure fee was increased to $350. Within the $50 increase was $15 for added fuel costs, Lincoln County Commissioner Chairman Rita Windom said.

At a previous meeting with Fisher River Fire Service personnel, Lincoln County residents, the commissioners and Ed LaBudde of the Fisher River Fire Service Board of Trustees discussed a presentation of a five-year business plan.

A budget of $40,000 per year was derived from the business plan, which would allow for maintenance of equipment, additional equipment, training and other additional resources.

Goals of the fire service included protecting the environment and raising funds for the fire department. There are also plans for 70 new lots to go into the area, therefore additional coverage area is necessary.

The fire service had a surplus of $10,000 last year and Plum Creek gave $30,000 to the Fisher River Fire Service, as well, to go toward mitigation for a subdivision that will be built in the Fisher River district, according to reports. Therefore, a fund of $40,000 has been established for the core needs, such as basic repairs, maintenance, gas and oil. The $40,000 also acts as a sort of buffer for three years of loan payments. Upgrades on equipment will be paid for by loans and grant money.

Fisher River Fire Service's area covers a very rural environment and aging equipment makes adequate coverage difficult, Fisher River Fire Service Chairman George Neils said at a public meeting.

With the plan, there would be no additional increases for the next five years once the fees increase to $140 per housing unit. Within that plan is an assumption of a 10 percent increase per year in fuel costs and 3 percent per year for inflation.