PRESS RELEASE
The Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled in favor today of the
Brown County Fire Protection District,
affirming the legality of the Board of Commissioners
establishing a countywide fire district by ordinance.
The Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the trial court
ruling by a 3-0 vote on all points of law and procedure.
In addition, last Thursday morning, August 28th, the Fire Protection District successfully appeared before the Department of Local Government Finance Tax Control Board for approval of a maximum tax levy equal to the amount of the county’s six fire departments operating budgets - $420,000. That decision was also unanimous in which the Tax Control Board chairman said he felt the $420,000 was reasonable for a county with the demographics of Brown County. The operating budgets reflect the amount needed to “keep the doors open” and does not include expenses such as equipment, trucks and training.
Fire Protection District chairman Jeff McCabe stated that they have not projected when they would reach the maximum levy. That in part would depend on the input from the public on what they want to support.
By ordinance, the fire protection district is restricted in its 2009 budget from dispersing to the fire departments an amount greater than the township trustees dispersed in 2006, payable 2007 – about $166,000.
In announcing the maximum tax levy approval of the Tax Control Board, Mr. McCabe shared with Brown County residents, “Fire protection is an incredibly small component of tax dollars collected and spent in Brown County.” “Public officials and aspiring politicians would be much better served to focus on the major components of tax dollar spending.”
“Today’s approval is a positive step forward and another validation that the District is on the right path.”
To access the ruling of the Court of Appeals of Indiana, filed September 02, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. go to http://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/09020801pdm.pdf
The Brown County Fire Protection District
is proud to announce
that SCI REMC has awarded a $5100 dollar Grant
to the Fire Protection District
to be used for our Wildland Fire Team.
Congratulations!!!!
Show your Support for
Emergency Services
by Buying a
Brown County Fire Protection District
Hat or T-Shirt Only $15.00
Our First Fundraiser!!!!
Contact your Fire District Trustee or
e-mail Robyn Bowman at
Since hurricane Katrina, the federal government estimates that during a serious emergency it may take as long as five days for emergency services to be restored. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is a federal program sponsored through FEMA via the local EMA offices and teaches regular people what to do – and not do – when disaster strikes and professional help can’t get to you. The latest CERT class was given 20 thru 23 August at the Brown County Fairgrounds and graduated seven students. The next class will be October 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, also at the fairgrounds, and is free. Contact Leonard Murray, the Brown County CERT coordinator at 812-360-1909, or Mike Bruce at the Brown County EMA office.
(Picture caption)
The latest Brown county Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) puts into use what they learned in class to help their friends and neighbors during a simulated earthquake disaster drill at the Brown County Fairgrounds.
Submitted by and photo taken by:
Leonard Murray
1909 Dubois Ridge Road
Nashville, IN 47448