Emergency services official warns Trustees: vote May 3 will decide local fire and EMS coverage

Mark Ma, who identified himself as a representative of the emergency services district that taxes Progresso and Progresso Lakes, told the board that county subsidies to municipal fire departments that serve rural areas will end by 2030 and urged voters to approve a rate increase on the May 3 ballot.

"If this referendum does not pass, there will be no fire or EMS coverage," Mark Ma said, describing a plan for the emergency services district to contract with the city of West Co to continue fire and EMS service if voters permit the district to levy the state cap of $0.10 per $100 valuation. He said the district previously sought a rate increase last year and is again asking for permission to go to 10 cents.

Ma told trustees the change would raise a homeowner with a $100,000 valuation from about $26 per year up toward $100 per year at the 10-cent cap; he urged trustees to help spread the word so residents understand the consequences of a failed referendum. He said county action to end subsidies could leave the area without local fire protection and could affect insurance and mortgage availability.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the election logistics and which voters will see the proposition; Ma said the measure will appear for residents inside the emergency services district boundaries and that the district needs more ‘yes’ votes than ‘no’ votes to pass. He asked the board to inform constituents and noted the timing: the election is May 3.

The board did not take formal action on Ma’s request during the public-comment segment; the speaker asked trustees to help publicize the referendum and return with voter-education support ahead of the May election.