The Elk Creek Fire Protection District will lay off at least one full-time staffer, table needed equipment upgrades and implement several budget cuts next year after the Gallagher Amendment significantly reduced the district’s expected property tax revenue for 2018.
According to Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin, the amendment effectively reduced the district’s property tax revenue by about $150,000, which will result in the elimination of a paramedic position, delayed replacement of needed cardiac monitors in the department’s ambulances and the delayed replacement of at least one ambulance.
“It’s the biggest thing affecting our budget,” said McLaughlin. “Our property taxes are going up five percent (in 2018). If the Gallagher Amendment were not going into affect, that (revenue) would have gone up 15 to 18 percent, and that’s the difference between cutting that paramedic position and the new ambulance, or being able to keep those things.
Contact reporter Sal Christ at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 303-350-1035. Follow her on Twitter at @decriture, or on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/SalChrist
.
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