Clancy fire trustees request rate hike

The Clancy Volunteer Fire Service Area Trustees are asking the Jefferson County Commissioners to allow it to double its fee to property owners from $95 to $195 a year as a way to provide needed revenue to cover recurring costs for a growing volunteer fire department.

The Trustees determined that the current 2020 budget, in the amount of $83,215, is not sufficient, according to a presentation provided to the Commission at its Aug. 18 meeting.

The proposed fee hike would increase the Clancy Volunteer Fire Department budget to $173,940 a year, and allow the department to save for not only routine equipment upgrades, but also capital improvements in the next 10 years, such as an upgrade to the Hanging Tree Station, according to a business plan presented to the Commission. The upgrade is estimated to cost $50,000.