Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire District Sales Tax topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frederick-Firestone fire officials and supporters outline half‑cent sales tax for staffing, station and equipment
Summary
Chief Young and a citizen committee asked Frederick trustees to note a proposed half‑cent sales tax to appear on the May 6, 2025 special district ballot. Presenters said proceeds would fund 12–15 firefighters, Station 6 staffing, apparatus and equipment and help offset roughly $4.8 million in property‑tax revenue losses since 2019.
Chief Young of the Frederick‑Firestone fire district told the Town of Frederick Board of Trustees the district is facing a significant funding gap and is proposing a half‑cent (0.5%) sales tax to diversify revenue and support future staffing and infrastructure.
The chief said the district, chartered in 1975 and marking its 50th anniversary in November, saw a “64.6% increase in emergency calls in 2024” and that average response time for emergencies remained about 5 minutes, 38 seconds. He told trustees the district has lost about "$4,800,000" in property‑tax revenue since 2019 and cited rising equipment costs and staffing needs as drivers for the measure.
Supporters from the committee Citizens for Frederick Firestone Fire District described the ballot question and intended uses. Chandler Martinez, who identified himself as chair of the committee and president of the local firefighters’ union, said the measure would appear as Issue A on the May 6, 2025 ballot and explained the tax in consumer terms: “the half of a percent, that would look like in dollars and cents term, 5¢ tax on a $10 purchase.” He and co‑chair Brad Harris said most current exemptions — groceries, prescription medications, medical and school supplies — would remain.
Committee and district leaders outlined specific uses: hiring 12–15 firefighters over the next three years to staff Station 6, purchasing additional engines and ambulances, upgrading radios and protective gear, and expanding training. A presenter said the district has funds to build Station 6 but needs recurring revenue to staff it, and noted equipment estimates such as an engine near $1.2 million and ambulances in the $400,000–$450,000 range.
Trustees pressed presenters on siting and service gaps in the Barefoot Lakes area; staff said land acquisition is underway near Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Barefoot Lakes Parkway and noted plans for closest‑unit dispatching with neighboring departments. Presenters also cited a public poll — roughly 13% response rate from about 10,957 mailed questionnaires — in which about 71% of respondents indicated likely support for a sales tax measure.
Next steps: district leaders said they have worked with the Colorado Department of Revenue to place the ballot question on the May special district election and will continue public education. No board action on the measure was required of the trustees at the meeting.
