10/17/23 Public Hearing on 2024 Budget
On Tuesday, October 17, the Pompey Hill Fire District held a public hearing to take comments on their proposed 2024 budget. The budget is $559,572.00, of which $551,278.00 will be collected through taxes from residents living within the Pompey Hill Fire District. This equates to an approximate 1% increase over the 2023 budget.
There were about 10 members of the public present for the hearing. Several members of the public took advantage of the public forum to ask questions about how the District operates, where funding comes from, and to learn more about the proposed $12.9 million capital project (see more on this project below).
During the Q&A, District representatives clarified the structure of Pompey Hill Fire services, explaining that they are composed of two separate and distinct entities; The Fire District is made up of five publicly elected commissioners who are responsible for overseeing volunteers, hiring personnel, buying and maintaining equipment, setting the budget and, effectively, determining what residents will pay in taxes. The District works very closely with the Fire Department, the non-profit body of volunteers who are the “boots on the ground” when emergency services are needed. The District also employs a paramedic/firefighter and part-time medics.
Fire District Commissioners are elected on a rotating basis in December of each year. Anyone living within the District may run for a Commissioner position. There are approximately 49 Fire Department volunteers. It is uncertain how many of them are currently active. The Fire Department is always happy to talk to anyone interested in becoming a member.
The Pompey Hill Fire District and its Fire Department serve 1,747 parcels located within an approximately 60-mile radius. It is unknown how many residents that includes.
10/19/23 Fire District Commissioner’s Meeting
The Pompey Hill Fire District Commissioners met on Thursday, October 19 for their regular monthly meeting. There were approximately 10 members of the public present for the meeting.
Fire District Chair Ty Kovalewski shared that the District is currently working on developing a website to help keep the public informed on District activities. The new website address will be pompeyhillfiredistrict.org. It is uncertain when the website will go live.
The Commissioners then briefly discussed finalization of the impending transfer of ownership of the Academy Street facility from the Fire Department to the Fire District. This transition will enable the Fire District to utilize tax monies to fund projects that involve the building and grounds (i.e., the impending $12.9 million capital project). Final transfer is believed to be imminent.
The Commissioners also set a date for the public hearing on the proposed $12.9 million capital project to fund the demolition of the existing facility on Academy street and to build an entirely new facility. The public hearing was set for Friday, November 10 (Veteran’s Day) at 6PM at the fire house. Members of the public are urged to attend this important meeting to gain better understanding of what is being proposed prior to the public vote.
The public vote on the $12.9 million project will take place on Tuesday, December 12, from 6-9PM at the fire house. Also up for vote will be two Commissioner positions. All those who reside in the Pompey Hill Fire District are eligible to vote.
The Pompey Hill Fire Commissioners meet every third Thursday of the month at 6:30PM at the fire house. Meetings are open to the public. November 16th is the next meeting.
$12.9 Million Capital Project
The Pompey Hill Fire District is in the process of developing plans and arranging for funding of a +/-$12.9 million dollar capital project that will replace the existing facility located on Academy Street in Pompey. All publicly available documentation on the project can be found on the Town of Pompey website.
The Fire District is proposing a 30-year bond to fund the project, which would result in an additional $430,000.00 in taxes on top of the current $551,278.00 budget. This proposal affects only those residing in the Pompey Hill Fire District.
At the 10/19/23 Commissioner’s meeting, several members of the public expressed concern about the project — particularly about the cost — but also about the lack of architectural and site plans or adequate documentation to justify the significant burden to be placed on the taxpayers within the District. District representatives expressed their belief that the information they’ve provided is sufficient to move forward with a public vote.
The Town of Pompey is served by three Districts — Manlius, Delphi Falls, and Pompey Hill. If passed, the capital project would result in the residents within the Pompey Hill Fire District paying the highest fire taxes in the Town of Pompey. For reference, in 2023, Town of Pompey residents in the Manlius Fire District paid $721,817.00 in taxes. Delphi Falls District residents paid $211,300.00. For 2024, Pompey Fire District residents would pay $981,278.00 — assuming that the proposed project remains within the budget presented. The Fire District was unable to answer the question of how many people each of the three districts serve.
