©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| City Council to Consider Outlying Fire Protection |
The City of Galesburg would, in a way, like to give residents that live just outside city limits the chance to have Galesburg fire protection if they want it.
The Galesburg City Council Monday night will consider a city proposal to allow residents who lives up to two miles outside city limits to enter into a contract for fire protection services if they so choose, at a cost to them of seven-cents per $100 of assessed property value on their tax bills.
Galesburg Seventh Ward Alderman Mike Lummis says even though it's clearly spelled out in the ordinance to be voted on, some residents may not understand that such service is not required.
"I want to stress this is a VOLUNTARY program," Lummis said. "I've had a couple people call, saying, 'yeah, I see where you're going to start charging me for fire.' So, I want to make sure all of the people understand it's a voluntary sign-up if it's passed."
City officials says while those residents live in any of the five fire protection districts outside city limits, Galesburg firefighters may be able to respond quicker to a blaze in some situations because of geography, and chances are those departments could still be called for mutual aid.
Similar Extra-Territorial Contract Fire Protection programs are in place in Monmouth, Macomb, and Canton in the area.
Aldermen Monday night will also consider various fine and fee increases as a way to help bridge a million dollar budget gap, and will consider changing the hours of operation for Lake Storey Beach from all summer, to weekends and holidays, but ban swimming due to e.coli contamination concerns.
The City Council has a budget work session scheduled for 7pm Monday -- the regular meeting starts at 7:30. |
|
| 11 01 09 by Newsroom |
Click here for the WGIL News Archive
Click here for national news
The following provision applies to all visitors (which shall include persons and representatives of legal entities, whether such representatives are persons or digital engines of a kind that crawls, indexes, scrapes, copies, stores or transmits digital content). By accessing this Web site or digital service, you specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium; (ii) No Associated Press materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use; (iii) The Associated Press will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing; (iv) The Associated Press is an intended third party beneficiary of these terms and conditions and it may exercise all rights and remedies available to it; and (v) The Associated Press reserves the right to audit possible unauthorized commercial use of AP materials or any portion thereof at any time.
