Baker fire department asks voters to approve property tax for pay raises and additional staff
Ten-year levy would fund six firefighters and pay raises as call volume rises
BAKER, La. (WAFB) - The Baker Fire Department is asking voters to approve a new property tax to hire more firefighters and staff a new station as call volume increases.
The department estimates it will receive 500 to 1,000 more calls next year.
“We’re a smaller full-time fire department, and we’re just trying to grow. As the city grows, we need to grow,” said District Chief and Union 3797 President Ronald Brady.
Tax would fund new west side station
The 10-year property tax would cost roughly $200 a year for a $200,000 home in the city. The money would help hire six firefighters to staff a new station being built on the west side.
“We really need that third station on the other side of the tracks because if a train comes through it’s going to delay the response time even more,” Brady said.
Department struggles to compete on salary
Brady said the tax would also give his firefighters a pay raise. The department’s starting salary is around $36,000, but other districts are offering $40,000 or more.
“You train people, and then you can’t afford to keep them because they get offered to go somewhere else for more money,” Brady said.
Brady said he is not worried about voter approval, even though many voters said no to tax propositions in the last few election cycles.
“Most millages you get them, and you don’t know what you’re paying for. At least with this millage you will get to see it every day when you drive down the streets,” Brady said.
If the tax does not pass, Brady said the department will have to find a different way to raise the funds.
“We’re hoping the citizens say, ‘Hey, y’all have supported us for many years, it’s time for us to support y’all now,” Brady said.
Early voting is going on now through June 20. Election day is June 27.
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