SCOTT CITY VOTERS FACE SALES TAX PROPOSAL TO OBTAIN NEW FIRE TRUCK

SCOTT CITY -- Voters will decide the fate of a quarter-cent sales tax Nov. 3 to fund the purchase of a new fire truck and related equipment.

The tax would be in effect for five years. A simple majority is needed for passage.

"The revenue generated from this is strictly designated for a fire truck and related equipment," said Les Crump, Scott City fire chief.

Crump said the tax, if approved, would raise about $250,000 over the five-year period.

If voters approve the tax, Crump said, the city would likely buy the new fire truck through a lease-purchase arrangement.

Crump said it takes some time to obtain a new fire truck since such vehicles are custom built.

"By the time we go through all the bid specifications and the bid call, we are looking at probably 14 to 18 months before we get the fire truck," he said.

Scott City has two fire trucks. The newest one is about 15 years old; the oldest nearly 25 years old.

Crump said Scott City officials want to replace the 25-year-old pumper.

Both Crump and Mayor Larry Forhan said the old fire truck would be kept as a backup.

Crump said the company that manufactured the old pumper is no longer in business. "They have been out of business for about five or six years."

As a result, he said, it would be difficult to secure parts should the truck need major repairs.

In addition, the new pumper would more than double the gallon-per-minute water output now available with the old fire truck.

"The older truck produces 750 gallons per minute and the new one will go 1,750 gallons per minute," he said. "On a large fire, that means you can pour enough water on it to cool it down."

That's particularly important since Scott City has a number of large industries and a new industrial site, the fire chief said.

Both Crump and Forhan said the sales tax measure offers the best way to fund the fire department improvements.

"This sales tax is the fairest kind," said Forhan. "It is for a specific time. It can only be used for the new fire truck and the equipment that goes on the fire truck."

The advantage of a sales tax is that all consumers will be helping to pay the bill rather than just Scott City residents, Forhan and Crump said.

Crump said the tax would have little impact on the consumer's pocketbook. On a $20 purchase, for example, the added cost would be a nickel, he said.

Purchase of a new fire truck and related equipment could help lower Scott City's fire insurance rating. That, in turn, could mean reduced insurance costs for Scott City residents, Crump said.

The fire chief pointed out that purchasing a new fire truck and equipment won't assure a better fire insurance rating, but it's a step in that direction.

Improving Scott City's fire insurance rating from Class 7 to Class 6 would mean a $50 savings to a homeowner with a home valued at $50,000, Crump said.

Scott City's volunteer fire department handled 479 calls last year, including fire, rescue, medical and service calls, he said.

Forhan praised the fire department. "We have one of the best volunteer fire departments in all of Southeast Missouri."

Scott City officials believe the sales tax measure will just make the department that much better.