Station 283 gets a 9-month reprieve from a potential closure that would have been a part of a plan for the fire department to operate with a balanced budget in the next budget year. The board listened to a packed house last night at their budget workshop. Citizens expressed their concerns over the board’s decision to close the Sugarloaf fire station.  Chief Willis presented an alternative budget that would still require deficit spending but makes significant cuts to reduce the amount of reserves required to keep the station open over the next year. The board ultimately made the hard decision to continue with a deficit spending budget until the community has a chance to vote in what they hope will be a March 2020 election to raise revenue to maintain or improve the fire department’s emergency service delivery.

Through a Community Facilities District taxing structure property owners, visitors and businesses would pay their fair share. The proposed tax measure will require 66 2/3 of voters to pass. If it does not pass, fire department services will be drastically reduced including a certain station closure.