Lookingglass Fire District trying to form new district
LOOKINGGLASS, Ore. -- The Lookingglass Fire District is re-forming to try to get some needed revenue to operate.
Officials from the Lookingglass district told Douglas County Commissioners that they want to dissolve the current district and form a new one.
Dennis Sifford of the Fire District board says that because of the effects of ballot measure 50, the amount of revenue they can raise is limited, and they can't bring in enough money to adequately run the department.
So, they're trying to be creative in finding a way to do that. "With this measure 50, there's no convenient or practical way that we can increase our permanent tax rate by a vote of the people."
So, the District Board of Directors is looking to increase the permanent rate to provide stable funding for the district. "The board is proposing to form a new district with a permanent rate of $1.55 per thousand, and the new rate is equal to the current base rate plus a recently expired 6-year operating levy."
He says the increased tax rate will allow the district to continue to provide services for the community and a stable funding source for planning, maintenance and upkeep.
The commissioners passed the order approving the boundaries and setting a final hearing for the formation of the new fire district on Wednesday.
