Ellettsville and Richland Township officials outline proposed fire territory, budget and tax impacts

Summary

At a second public hearing on a proposed Ellettsville–Richland fire protection territory, the town and township’s presenters outlined a projected 2027 operating budget of about $3.8 million, an equipment‑replacement fund and estimated tax impacts (about $16/month for an average Richland homeowner).

At a joint meeting of the Ellettsville Town Council and the Richland Township Advisory Board, local officials held the second of the four required hearings on a proposed fire protection territory that would consolidate fire services and establish a dedicated property‑tax levy beginning in 2027.

The hearing featured a department overview by Fire Chief Kevin Patton and a detailed financial presentation by Paige Sansone of Baker Tilly. “We’ve got a total of 17 full time firefighters that includes the administration staff and then we’re supplemented by a few volunteers,” Patton said, describing two stations that serve the area and a run volume increase of about 102% over five years. Patton said roughly 70% of the department’s calls are medical in nature.

Sansone framed the proposal as a statutorily authorized tool for producing sustainable, dedicated revenue. “A fire territory is something that is statutorily allowed,” she said, and she described the timeline for final action: a…

Ellettsville and Richland Township officials outline proposed fire territory, budget and tax impacts

Summary

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