Taxes
Supporters of the new law believe it will improve recruitment and retention of volunteers
New legislation would extend a 10% property tax reduction to volunteer Rotterdam firefighters and providers with at least two years of service
The Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District now has around-the-clock staffing, with more positions expected to be added
The referendum was passed after Scott Twp. supervisors learned in August that Justus Volunteer Fire Company’s EMS and ambulance service was running a deficit of roughly $10,000
The approved tax levy would generate about $7.3 million per year and allow for the hiring of dozens of first responders
Voters will decide whether to approve a levy that would raise $7.3 million per year for the Kirkland Fire Department
The Pflugerville Professional Firefighters Association said the new district is necessary due to call volumes nearly doubling over the past year
The Greencastle Borough Council agreed to develop a budget to support paid firefighters using a fire tax, with members making at least $18/hour
The Strongsville Fire Fighters Association said the hiring of part-time firefighters would undermine professionalism at the department
New York City Councilman Justin Brannan is calling on the state legislature to increase the existing tax break from $200 to $500
The three communities are seeking to put a fire levy on the ballot to convert to full-time services
If passed, the HEROES Act would provide four months of federal tax relief for firefighters, EMS providers, law enforcement and corrections officers, and healthcare personnel
Rep. Bill Huizenga plans to introduce a bill that would allow for a three-month tax holiday modeled after tax relief for active military
One Uhrichsville councilman and a councilman from another city went door-to-door hoping to force the city to reconsider the switch
Both current and former volunteer firefighters are now eligible to offset 20% of their real estate tax bill in Southmont Borough
Fire officials say the levy would provide funds to hire more firefighters and paramedics, ensuring more consistent coverage
Lawmakers passed 16 bills in the last two weeks aimed at supporting first responders, including mental health initiatives and tax credits
A state auditor’s report revealed that Mount Sinai Fire District officials raised taxes more than 4% after overestimating expenditures by more than $300,000
Texas officials plan to create Emergency Services District No. 3, which will cover rural communities, to keep pace with rising costs for emergency services
The action comes as fire departments and ambulance corps are finding it harder to recruit new members
Volunteers want benefits like job protection, tax write-offs, scholarships and student loan debt forgiveness
Supporters say the merger could save Jacksonville Beach taxpayers about $15 million over 10 years, and would provide better fire protection for the city
The bill would allow volunteer firefighters and EMS workers to receive refundable tax credits for equipment purchases and for education-related activities and travel
The increase, 2.3 cents per $100 in valuation would amounts to a total fire tax rate of 8.7 cents per $100 in valuation
What the union has requested, including implementing a DROP program and improving pension and other benefits, would require a tax increase if all done in one year
The volunteer service tax credit program was created by state Act 172
The tax credit is designed with a three-tiered system, and volunteers receive a rebate based on their years of service
Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo is renewing his call to provide a property tax break to the spouses of first responders who die in the line of duty
Officials said the break would have resulted in a revenue reduction of $5.3 million per year when fully phased-in
“This is just a token of our appreciation and how much we value you and your service to our town,” First Selectman Mark Nickerson said
Eligible volunteers can receive a tax credit of up to $250 on their earned income tax levied by the township
Legislators added several rules to a newly-approved tax break, including one that says the responder must have been employed in the state at the time of injury
Officials said 911 centers are suffering because the New York government is diverting the monthly funds collected from the $1.20 fee into the state’s general fund
