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Homer Township FPD loses bid for bond sale
The Southtown Star recently published an article highlighting another fire district struggling to secure additional funding.
Bob Tutko, the chief of the Homer Township Fire Protection District, shared some sobering insights. He mentioned that in Illinois, antique vehicle plates are issued for cars and trucks that have been on the road for more than 20 years. While that might sound like a quirky policy, it raises a serious question: could the department’s aging tanker truck end up getting one? The answer, according to Tutko, is probably yes—if the truck even lasts that long.
Replacing the 19-year-old vehicle was part of a $4.7 million bond proposal that voters rejected last week. That decision has left the district with fewer resources to address urgent repairs and equipment needs. Now, tough choices must be made. For instance, the free child car seat check program, which the district offers to residents, may have to be cut due to the high cost of training staff for the service.
Tutko said the situation is worsening. “Things are starting to break, and they’re coming in faster than we can afford to fix them,†he explained. The financial strain comes from multiple sources. A local recession has caused home values to drop, leading to a $2 million loss in property tax revenue over the past few years. Additionally, without voter approval, the district is limited in how much it can increase its tax levy.
Another blow came when plans for a major mall at U.S. 6 and Cedar Road were put on hold. Part of the site would have been within the Homer district, potentially bringing in significant tax revenue. Alongside the mall, there were also plans for new condos and apartments along Cedar Road.
In Homer, nearly half of the 20-square-mile area lacks fire hydrants, making the tanker truck essential. However, the 3,000-gallon-capacity truck is often out of commission due to its age. The district once had two such vehicles, but the second one was retired because it had become too old and unreliable. The repair shop that maintains the remaining truck won’t guarantee its work due to the vehicle's deteriorating condition.
“It’s basically rotting from the inside out,†Tutko said.
A new truck would cost $325,000, and the district is waiting to find out if it qualifies for a government grant to replace it. Meanwhile, the district’s treasurer recommended setting aside $500,000 annually to build a reserve for vehicle replacements, building maintenance, and equipment purchases. But last year, the district managed to save only $25,000.
Some cost-saving measures have helped, like renegotiating the firefighters’ contract, which saved $375,000 in overtime costs. But Tutko warned that there’s a limit to how much more can be cut without compromising safety.
Thanks, Dan.