fire territory questions

Would love to know who "you talked to", more than likely yourself. You are full of it.

r-u-serious wrote:

I am friends with alot of the UCIFD and the majority of them are worried about there jobs, because not everything has been completely truthful. I asked them what was lied about and was told they could not get into that because their jobs are on the line.

I talked to two ofiicers of the dept. and one firefighter. I don't need to talk to myself like you.

This territory is nothing but a big President Conklin hoax! I wonder why then is President Conklin waiting to pay for all the work that has been done until after the first of the year? He is going to end up breaking the new territory account. I think people need to right letters to the editor why they are not looking into this more. If they don't ask the Star Press too. I have friends at Whiteriver and they are against this too. Why is it at the commiss meetings ms Love from Whiteriver can't answer cost questions from the commissioners themselves? Why don't we start asking the commissioners themselves to answer these questions. Are they for or against it? We vote them into office too. If UCI's clerk is getting an additional $20k a year to do her job there (kinda funny making that much more) how much is Conklin and the two township trustee's getting? I think this territory is to pocket more money for these people we didn't have a chance to VOTE in to represent us with this territory. Oh good question; why don't we put this territory on the ballot for the taxpayers who will flip this bill and be paying a huge amount more in tax dollars to vote yeah or nay on??!! I keep thinking back 4 to 5 months ago when I seen a new big LADDER truck in town and the ladder set up against Mr. Conklin's house, what is that big bay area for in the new building? Is the taxpayers of UCI & the townships going to save more money by spending 1/2 million $ on this big ladder toy too? Its plainly a waiste of taxpayer dollars with no added bennifits! If we all can't afford this lets get a patetion together to put this up for vote or a vote of no confidence against all involved. We have four or five people forcing down our throats.. Can these 4 or 5 afford this themselves? Hell yes they are getting a raise, they are paid by us to do this, and paid very well by us to spend our hard working dollars without our opinion! Think about that!!!!!!!

Will a petition to put this on a ballot for us to vote on be recognized in the State of Indiana? I would sign it in a heartbeat. I would even take one around to get signatures if it would do any good. The more people talk about this the more quesions they have. I have one for the territory gurus. You have the City Police Dept in the same building with the Fire Dept. How are the expenses handled. Does the City Police have seperate electric meters? How about the gas meters for heat? Or, are they going to pass that expense on to the people out in the township too? This is another example of questions that need to be answered. I am going to be contacting my trustee with my questions since I can't be at the meetings. I have to work twice as much to pay the increase in my taxes. Between the ditch tax increase and fire territory taxes I'm going to have to get a second job (if you could even find one)just to pay for them alone.

Just Wondering wrote:

Will a petition to put this on a ballot for us to vote on be recognized in the State of Indiana? I would sign it in a heartbeat. I would even take one around to get signatures if it would do any good. The more people talk about this the more quesions they have. I have one for the territory gurus. You have the City Police Dept in the same building with the Fire Dept. How are the expenses handled. Does the City Police have seperate electric meters? How about the gas meters for heat? Or, are they going to pass that expense on to the people out in the township too? This is another example of questions that need to be answered. I am going to be contacting my trustee with my questions since I can't be at the meetings. I have to work twice as much to pay the increase in my taxes. Between the ditch tax increase and fire territory taxes I'm going to have to get a second job (if you could even find one)just to pay for them alone.

You might want to make a trip into town & have a look at the new PD & FD.You will very quickly see that they are 2 separate buildings not one.And you can stop by the new facilities on Nov. 21st for the ribbon cutting & open house.

There you go!!! Have you seen the new ($3500+) sign posted @ the UCI "Emergency Complex" + another sign for the Randolph Fire Territory???? That probably will not be paid for till after Jan 1 either. People need to take a stand about this issue. Why sit back and let it happen? Get petitions signed if you cannot attend the meetings. Go to your township trustees, city council members, President Conklin and let them know how you feel. If the people of UCI and the townships do not start making their feelings known, this will go on and on and on. You will see it in your property taxes and anywhere else President Conklin sees fit to tax! Of course the people overseeing this venture will be receiving pay increases! This is a hell of a way to pad wage & benefit increases into the budget and not be easily detectable. Working people do have difficult times attending these meetings, make calls to your local representatives, township trustees, council members, anyone that you can get on the phone. Do not let them raise your taxes without explanations and your votes. Once this is put into action, what are the chances of reversing it?? Have you ever heard of your taxes being reduced??? NOT!!!! UCI government NEVER made cuts to their budgets as their tax revenues declined over the years. As industry closed, left town, population dwindled, it seems that increases were made rather than cuts. We need to investigate this and ask the questions. I have attended two of the local meetings and have not received any answers. President Conklin avoids the issues, or just manipulates the facts (if there are any). I intend to continue to make noise about this. If the fire territory proceeds, I may have to have a fire of undetermined origin at my house (kidding), and move to a town where the citizens' voice is heard and counts.

Sorry Mouthpiece. Since my taxes are going through the roof I will be making less trips to Unoin City. I won't have the extra gas money. I have to save that to go to work to pay my taxes. I pledge that for every dollar that my taxes are raised for this stupid venture I will spend dollar for dollar less in Union City. Will make it seem like I am breaking even. Don't ya think?

Wayne Township was paying $5,000 a year for fire protection, and Jackson Township,$7,000. Union City taxpayers were heavily subsidizing that provision of service, including to the ethanol plant, which requires extra training, materials and equipment. And the ethanol plant is outside of the city limits, meaning no direct revenue to the city. The townships have always paid ridiculously low rates for fire protection, with city taxpayers bearing the financial burden.
The townships could build their own fire stations and try to man and equip them, or they could, as they once did, give the contract to an all volunteer force. The availability of full-time fire protection was a key factor in site selection for the ethanol plant.
Nobody knows what the budget figures are because the state hasn't certified them. They have been submitted, but the state always cuts them. The original tax rate of 22 cents was based on other townships, such as Ward, joining the fire territory. The budget estimates were prepared by professionals based on a study of each unit's revenue and expenses. The Union City council approved an expenditure of up to $26,000 to Umbaugh and Associates to prepare the budget analyses and subsequent financial documents. Council did that out of a belief that local government services must become more economical through consolidation.(The $26,000 was a bid from Umbaugh and not all of it has been used yet.)
The city of Union City has paid for the police and fire stations, not the fire territory. It has been a great bargain at $243,000, with much volunteer work by firefighters and police officers, donations, etc. The only bill waiting is for the carpet, which was 90 days same as cash.
The city for years has had to adjust its budget (including reducing the number of employees) through the years because of declining assessed value.
The fire department had a ladder truck in town, as it was exploring a grant for one. They used it at the mayor's house as a demonstration, to study angles, etc.
So Just Wondering wants to punish Union City businesses, and they're the ones who have been subsidizing his fire protection all these years.

Just Wondering wrote:

Sorry Mouthpiece. Since my taxes are going through the roof I will be making less trips to Unoin City. I won't have the extra gas money. I have to save that to go to work to pay my taxes. I pledge that for every dollar that my taxes are raised for this stupid venture I will spend dollar for dollar less in Union City. Will make it seem like I am breaking even. Don't ya think?

I just felt you needed some facts.If you are really worried about the new facilities then you would actually check it out and get the facts for yourself.Your reasoning for your future actions, or shall I say "lack there of" are just beyond me.

Sammy wrote:

Wayne Township was paying $5,000 a year for fire protection, and Jackson Township,$7,000. Union City taxpayers were heavily subsidizing that provision of service, including to the ethanol plant, which requires extra training, materials and equipment. And the ethanol plant is outside of the city limits, meaning no direct revenue to the city. The townships have always paid ridiculously low rates for fire protection, with city taxpayers bearing the financial burden.
The townships could build their own fire stations and try to man and equip them, or they could, as they once did, give the contract to an all volunteer force. The availability of full-time fire protection was a key factor in site selection for the ethanol plant.
Nobody knows what the budget figures are because the state hasn't certified them. They have been submitted, but the state always cuts them. The original tax rate of 22 cents was based on other townships, such as Ward, joining the fire territory. The budget estimates were prepared by professionals based on a study of each unit's revenue and expenses. The Union City council approved an expenditure of up to $26,000 to Umbaugh and Associates to prepare the budget analyses and subsequent financial documents. Council did that out of a belief that local government services must become more economical through consolidation.(The $26,000 was a bid from Umbaugh and not all of it has been used yet.)
The city of Union City has paid for the police and fire stations, not the fire territory. It has been a great bargain at $243,000, with much volunteer work by firefighters and police officers, donations, etc. The only bill waiting is for the carpet, which was 90 days same as cash.
The city for years has had to adjust its budget (including reducing the number of employees) through the years because of declining assessed value.
The fire department had a ladder truck in town, as it was exploring a grant for one. They used it at the mayor's house as a demonstration, to study angles, etc.
So Just Wondering wants to punish Union City businesses, and they're the ones who have been subsidizing his fire protection all these years.

Thank you Sammy for giving actual facts.Too bad the facts will never get through to these people though.

THANK YOU. Sammy for your very well informed reply. Someone with a brain has now actually posted on this site. I live in the cointry and new these facts as I have a brain and went to the source to get the answers. And yes the rest of u idiots, the City has carriied the burden of cost for fire protection for decades. Now it is time for the rest of us country folk to pony up and pay our fair shair. I am glsd to do ot to have a full time force respond in minutes and not hope that I get a volunteer that me be home and ready to respond. And where do u get the city clerk getting a 20,000 dollar year raise. How frickin stupid are you idiots. Oops don't answer that question!

well if its that good to have a fulltime force then maybe we will have more vaccant lots or now parks in the townships like you have in the city. Its simple, if all the businesses are having to reduce staff, so be it. Do not bash the people who do the job for free I think there are more vollys then paid in america....they do the job right too and for less.

So uci taxpayer are you a volunteer fire fighter? Have you volunteered for anything other than running your know it all pie hole? I sincerely doubt it! What have you given this community other than your worthless, touble starting opinion? Remember opinions are like assholes and your's is really stinking! You might want to wipe again!

Sammy wrote:

Wayne Township was paying $5,000 a year for fire protection, and Jackson Township,$7,000. Union City taxpayers were heavily subsidizing that provision of service, including to the ethanol plant, which requires extra training, materials and equipment. And the ethanol plant is outside of the city limits, meaning no direct revenue to the city. The townships have always paid ridiculously low rates for fire protection, with city taxpayers bearing the financial burden.
The townships could build their own fire stations and try to man and equip them, or they could, as they once did, give the contract to an all volunteer force. The availability of full-time fire protection was a key factor in site selection for the ethanol plant.
Nobody knows what the budget figures are because the state hasn't certified them. They have been submitted, but the state always cuts them. The original tax rate of 22 cents was based on other townships, such as Ward, joining the fire territory. The budget estimates were prepared by professionals based on a study of each unit's revenue and expenses. The Union City council approved an expenditure of up to $26,000 to Umbaugh and Associates to prepare the budget analyses and subsequent financial documents. Council did that out of a belief that local government services must become more economical through consolidation.(The $26,000 was a bid from Umbaugh and not all of it has been used yet.)
The city of Union City has paid for the police and fire stations, not the fire territory. It has been a great bargain at $243,000, with much volunteer work by firefighters and police officers, donations, etc. The only bill waiting is for the carpet, which was 90 days same as cash.
The city for years has had to adjust its budget (including reducing the number of employees) through the years because of declining assessed value.
The fire department had a ladder truck in town, as it was exploring a grant for one. They used it at the mayor's house as a demonstration, to study angles, etc.
So Just Wondering wants to punish Union City businesses, and they're the ones who have been subsidizing his fire protection all these years.

I believe Jackson Township paid $8,000 for protection and only had a few runs in 08/07. UCI sells the ethanol plant water so I would hope UCI would be receiving some revenue. Why are the taxpayers paying for the ethanol plant's protection?

The fire department has to be staffed and equipped, regardless of the number of runs. Whether few or many runs, the department has to be ready to go.
The ethanol plant is in Wayne Township. Companies don't have their own firefighting departments, although the ethanol plant might pay something toward specialized equipment or foam. Economic development costs - whether it's roads or whatever, and taxpayers pay for the investments.
The water revenue from Cardinal Ethanol goes right into the water fund, not the city's general fund. It can't be used for fire department or streets or police or any other general fund expenditures.

Sammy wrote:

The fire department has to be staffed and equipped, regardless of the number of runs. Whether few or many runs, the department has to be ready to go.
The ethanol plant is in Wayne Township. Companies don't have their own firefighting departments, although the ethanol plant might pay something toward specialized equipment or foam. Economic development costs - whether it's roads or whatever, and taxpayers pay for the investments.
The water revenue from Cardinal Ethanol goes right into the water fund, not the city's general fund. It can't be used for fire department or streets or police or any other general fund expenditures.

As far as runs go I believe the vast majority is with in the city limits. Sammy you want to check the news. I believe the ethanol plant is not going to make it. So the additional cost to the taxpayers for the ethanol plant's protection should be re-funded to the taxpayers.

Thank goodness for the firefighters in this county...Who else would you call when a kitten in a tree needs saving or you want to save the foundation of your burning house.

I DID read about the ethanol plant's lack of liquidity. Cardinal Ethanol is coming out with a press release soon. Its personnel have to be careful what they say so as not to run afoul of SEC. Inside source said, "The price of corn is good, and the price of ethanol is good. The plant is doing fine now." The bad-sounding news was from the SEC report. Ethanol plants everywhere have had a tough time and probably will continue to do so.
I said the ethanol plant MIGHT help pay for specialized equipment or foam. Last I heard, none of that had been purchased.
The fire department provides protection to all property within its jurisdiction. There is no special fee to taxpayers for any one property - nothing to be refunded.

Sammy said I was punishing UC. I'm not the one raising taxes and putting less in peoples pockets to spend. You say the town people has been carrying the burden for fire protection all these years. Well, who has more houses to be protected? You have. There are far less buildings out in the rural areas than town. As far as the Ethenol plant. Maybe that should have been factored in when they built it. But, neither here nor there, the king has spoken and his fire territory is set to go along with his central dispatch system for the county. What is next? Maybe the EMTs? Who knows what he has in mind. Can hardly wait to hear.
I must say one last thing. After reading all the newspapers this week about the WONDERFUL new city building and WONDERFUL NEW fire station I just feel SOOOOOOO!!!! much more safe. I bet everybody else does too.