Town Council to Decide Fire District Tax Rate

that failed to pass voters will be in the hands of the township council, who will decide the fate of the spending plan and tax rate.

District 1, which is served by East Dover, Ocean Beach, and Toms River Fire Co. 1 & 2, asked voters to approve a $7.3 million budget, and failed by 16 votes in February's election day.

There were 399 no votes, and 383 voted yes.

As a result, the budget will be decided by the township council. The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for tomorrow's town council meeting, at 6 p.m. in town hall.

After the hearing is held the council will decide the fate of the budget at future council meetings. Tomorrow's meeting is a chance for the public to weigh in on whether the council should cut from the budget and where, or if it should stay the same.

According to the Fire District 1 Business Administrator Brian Kubiel, who is also member of the , the tax rate for district 1 grew slightly over 2011.

The tax rate for 2011 was $0.0404 and the 2012 rate as proposed is $0.0428. 

The fire budget pays for the administration, equipment, insurance and hydrant rental, among other expenses.

Attached is the 2012 budget as it was proposed for voters. Also attached is a budget comparison of 2011 to 2012, as prepared by Kubiel.

The Feb. 18 election saw a defeat of the proposed budget, as well as a winning over the incumbent by a small margin. Several appropriation questions passed and are not part of tomorrow's discussion.