Lancaster County legislator aims to provide financial aid for fire departments in local municipalities
In Pennsylvania, a proposal by State Representative Nikki Rivera aims to update the state's laws, allowing boroughs and townships to generate more revenue for firefighters and emergency responders. This change could provide a much-needed boost to fire services in various townships, including East Hempfield Township.
Scott Wiglesworth, chairman of the East Hempfield Township board of supervisors, believes that officials could dedicate more general funds to fire services within the township. However, the township is currently preparing for a tax increase next year to support growing costs for fire and EMS services. Wiglesorth prefers keeping the decision of raising taxes for fire services with the voters in East Hempfield Township.
Meanwhile, Manheim Township, which already uses general fund dollars to cover fire department costs, currently has a 0.43 mill fire tax supporting its professional fire company. Manor Township Manager Ryan Strohecker finds efforts to raise the tax ceiling "irrelevant" for his municipality, as the 0.41 mill fire tax has been beneficial for the township, allowing residents to understand how tax dollars are spent.
State Representative Chris Pielli has also penned similar legislation for smaller second-class townships, which passed the House in May. If Rivera's proposed bill passes, it would not mean a tax increase for residents in Manheim Township, but it would allow first-class townships like Manheim to set aside more tax revenue for emergency services.
However, the bill would allow second-class townships to dedicate up to 10 mills of property taxes to fire services and up to 5.0 mills for EMS. Wiglesworth considers the 10 millage ceiling of Pielli's proposal as excessive for East Hempfield Township.
Local fire chiefs have stated that many companies are moving away from the fundraising model because they can't cover soaring equipment costs anymore. Rivera's bill would give officials "another tool in the toolbox" to fund emergency services so municipalities aren't left scrambling if they need more fire funding.
State Rep. Chris Pielli argues that the state doesn't offer enough grant funding for fire services, which could be a driving force behind the need for these changes. Rivera also plans to co-sponsor a bill that would give more boroughs the power to do the same.
While the future of these proposals remains uncertain, they represent a significant step towards addressing the financial challenges faced by fire and EMS services in Pennsylvania's townships.
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