A ‘no tax increase’ bond issue overwhelming passed for the Southern Platte Fire Protection District during Tuesday’s election.
Needing 4/7 majority, the $10 million bond issue was passed by 79.7 percent — 566 yes votes to 144 no votes.
“Thank you to the SO Platte Co residents for believing in @SPFPD today!!!,” Southern Platte Fire Chief Rich Carrizzo tweeted from @SPFPDFireChief. “Without your support, vote and help spreading the word, we could have a different result! Thank you for your continued support & We will not let you down !!! A win/win for the Citizens & Community!”
The purpose of the bond is acquiring equipment and improving buildings and facilities for the district.
The bulk of the $10 million would go to construction of a new station, No. 65. The cost with land comes in at roughly $6 million. Expansion and remodeling of station No. 61 at 1st and East Streets in downtown Parkville and the addition of cancer prevention equipment and comes in at $2.3 million.
Cancer prevention equipment, refurbishing and an addition to station No. 63, located at 18011 NW 45 Highway in Parkville, is budgeted at $1 million.
Other plans include land purchase for station No. 61 is $250,000; breathing apparatus standard for the entire department is $300,000 and miscellaneous special apparatus/equipment for $150,000.
The bond rate is projected to stay between .0550 to .07 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The average debt tax rate has been .0968 centers per $100 assessed valuation over the past 18 years, but the rate is expected to be lower based on current economic conditions. For a house valued at $250,000, the rate estimate will be $25 annually.
The SPFD district has four stations and protects more than 38,000 citizens in Platte County, including Parkville, Weatherby Lake and Farley. They also provide mutual aid assistance to the Kansas City Fire Department and Riverside Public Safety.