By Barb Pert Templeton
Members of the Algonac City Council recently adopted a resolution setting an annual millage rate of one mil for year two of a special assessment district to support the services of the fire department.
The special assessment will bring in $147,200 to support the Algonac Fire Department during the next fiscal year, July 2025 to July 2026. That’s a 13.23% increase in funding over last year when one mil generated $130,000.
The district consists of all lands and premises within the municipal boundaries of the city with the city council determining annually a levy amount between zero and five.
In a memo to the council, City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said the overall millage rate for Algonac remains “the lowest in all of St. Clair County cities.”
“Three of the eight cities and 18 of the 23 townships in St. Clair County have similar funding mechanisms for police and/or fire services,” Gerstenberg wrote.
Algonac Fire Chief Jospeh Doan.
The Algonac City Council hosted a public hearing on May 20 regarding the special assessment district for the city’s fire department. While several residents spoke out during the public hearing members of the council were anxious to defend the fire department.
Councilman Michael Bembas said ‘our fire department people are so underpaid it’s unbelievable.’
“And we’re not asking for an increase, I just want to make that very clear,” Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey added during the May 20 meeting. “It’s still one percent and we’re not asking for anymore.”
Department lays out goals
A document in the city council’s June 3 meeting packet related to the budget included a page for the fire department that shared three goals set for 2025-2026.
· One was to install 6” fixed standpipes mounted on vehicular bridges to improve access to water in case of fire.
· A second goal was to update hydrant map and numbering systems using GIS/GPS.
· The third is to partner with local organizations like Rolling Brook and Algonquin Place to encourage fire safety, conduct fire safety drills and promote awareness campaigns.
Goals accomplished for 2024/2025 were also listed with three different items.
In a memo to the council, City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said the overall millage rate for Algonac remains “the lowest in all of St. Clair County cities. Three of the eight cities and 18 of the 23 townships in St. Clair County have similar funding mechanisms for police and/or fire services.”
· One was to establish an Annual National Night Out/Touch A Truck event at Smith Recreation Park and was marked as completed.
· The second goal was to obtain pilot readings on all hydrants to update flow rates (GPM.) This was noted as ‘to be completed by June 30.’
· The third goal was to update all radio units to be encryption capable of enhancing safety and privacy. All but three radios were completed and the memo noted they are waiting for new templates from the state to finish the program.
History of the funding
In February 2024 a primary election had voters approving the establishment of a special assessment district for fire services. The ballot proposal asked for approval for a 1-mill special assessment for the city’s fire department. It was estimated that one mil would cost the average residential home with a $62,000 taxable value, $62 dollars a year or $5.16 a month or .17 cents a day.
Voters approved the special assessment district and one mil was collected last year bringing in $130,00 in support of the fire department.
At that time, Doan said the department’s annual budget was $380,030 and 100% of that funding was from the city’s general fund.
The department includes two full-time fire fighters, himself and a fire fighter/MFR and they provide coverage Monday through Friday. Those hours represent a time when manpower is limited due to the 15 part-paid on call volunteers working outside the city during the week. The roster includes two female fire fighters.
Doan said the department provide service 24-hours a day seven days a week.
