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Several fire districts seek higher levies as departments plan stations, equipment
Summary
At the county budget hearing commissioners reviewed proposed levies for fire districts, heard concerns about rising equipment and construction costs, and approved a resolution allowing multiple fire districts to exceed revenue-neutral rates 4–0.
El Dorado — Commissioners reviewed proposed 2026 budgets and mill levies for Butler County’s volunteer and contract fire districts and approved a consolidated resolution authorizing several districts to levy above their revenue-neutral rate.
County staff summarized the packet figures (page 96 of the budget book) and told commissioners that most fire districts either held steady or reduced levies, while a handful proposed increases tied to equipment replacement or plans for new stations. Staff identified the largest dollar increases as coming from the Andover contract area and noted proposed increases in Rose Hill, Cassiday (Cassidy), Towanda and Potwin where districts are evaluating station needs or equipment replacement. Ryan Atkinson said some districts are budgeting funds this year to pay for architectural studies and planning rather than immediate construction.
Commissioners and staff discussed options short of immediate rate increases: holding budgeted building funds in county-managed accounts, pursuing grant programs (CDBG and other rural development grants), and encouraging fundraising and phased projects. Atkinson summarized a past approach used with Benton’s fire district in which the county helped acquire property and held reserves until a feasible building project could be delivered.
Residents and former fire officials raised questions about rapid budget growth for some districts and urged careful oversight. Don Rommelfinger, a former Cassiday fire chief, said his old district’s budget had grown from approximately $15,000 historically to about $71,000 in recent years and urged boards to consider revenue-neutral approaches.
After discussion the board approved Resolution No. 25-34 to permit the listed fire districts to levy property taxes exceeding the revenue-neutral rate; the roll call vote was 4–0 (Commissioners Wojciech, Murphy, Jackson and Masterson voting yes; Commissioner Herzet absent). County staff said the action satisfies the notice and hearing requirements but does not itself appropriate spending; districts must still follow standard procurement and reporting processes before building or purchasing major capital items.
Next steps: staff said it will continue dialogue with districts about staged projects, grant opportunities and ways to protect reserve funds until construction is feasible.
