Excerpts from the Daily Herald: Fire officials in the Fox Lake Fire Protection District are set to ask voters for a tax increase next month, citing concerns over aging equipment and staffing shortages at fire stations serving unincorporated areas. Chief Ron Hoehne explained that the district is facing growing demands due to an 8% increase in emergency calls over the past year. To meet these needs, the department plans to add at least three full-time paramedics—specifically one per shift—to the Molidor Road station in Ingleside. Currently, only two paramedics are on duty per shift at the two main stations, which operate on a 24-hour shift followed by 48 hours off. The proposed tax hike would more than double the ambulance service tax rate in the district, raising it from $0.133 to $0.350 per $100 of equalized assessed value—a 21.7-cent increase. A homeowner with a $100,000 property would see their annual taxes go up by about $72. If approved, the increase is expected to generate roughly $850,000 in new revenue in the first year. However, the vote will not include residents of the village of Fox Lake, as they are currently under a three-year contract with the district. The referendum applies only to the 22,000 residents living outside the village limits, who are spread across 30 miles of territory. "We've had the same ambulance tax since 1978," Hoehne said. "This is the first time we've ever asked voters for additional funding. But the situation has become unsustainable." Home values in the district have declined significantly since 2008, dropping from $580 million to $396 million in equalized assessed value. At the same time, emergency call volumes have continued to rise. As a result, the district has been forced to use its limited reserves to cover costs, and now operates on a break-even budget. "If something major happens or if our equipment fails, it could be a financial disaster," Hoehne warned. The district's fleet of 26 vehicles is also aging, and maintenance costs are rising due to increased usage. If the tax increase passes, the Fox Lake Fire Protection District’s ambulance rate would align with those in neighboring communities like Fox River Grove, Long Grove, Lake Villa Township, and Lake Zurich. Thanks Dan & Ron Aluminum Foil Liner Paper Bags Customize your logo paper bag，Eco-friendly paper bag for kebabs，Pizza paper bag，A paper bag of fried burgers Qingzhou Xincheng Packaging Co., LTD , https://www.qzxcbc.com