What Happens if the Referendum Fails?

If voters do not approve this referendum, the fire district will not shut down tomorrow. It will slowly consume itself and cut back services to adjust. Trustees have already discussed that they would begin reassigning properties to neighboring fire districts in order to decrease the number of calls they receive each year (reduce demand since the supply of funds is limited). This will immediately increase those taxpayers’ property taxes, and all of our neighbors have rates that are higher than what the Winfield trustees have proposed.

Every accountant who has looked at their books or talked to them and taken the time to understand their plans says the tax increase is necessary to continue affordable and reliable fire and medical response.

Winfield Fire District attained an ISO (insurance) rating of two (2) (the second best rating; none of our neighbors are a one (1) rating) by just two points. If the fire district reduces staffing or fleet, or if response times decrease because they are just too busy, or if neighbors stop responding to our non-emergency calls for assistance, it would be very easy lose two points and drop back down to an ISO rating of three (3) or lower. This would have the effect of increasing homeowner insurance prices. 

It is the opinion of this committee that there isn’t a viable “Plan B.” Continuing on the path we are on today without taking action will push our life-saving equipment, people, and tools past the brink to imminent failure. We all deserve better.