Tax Increase, Bond Issue May Be in the Works for Wentzville Fire District

The Wentzville Fire District may be asking for a tax increase in August, the Suburban Journals reported last week.

The fire district, which covers 88 square miles of Wentzville, Foristell, Flint Hill and Josephville as well as part of Lake Saint Louis and unincorporated St. Charles County, has until May 28 to decide whether to put the increase on the August ballot.

According to the minutes of the fire district's Jan. 3 work session, Chief Randy Bornhop told the board and staff that the district "is at a point where to move forward, the district must discuss alternative funding."

No capital improvements are planned for 2013, but rapid growth in the Wentzville area means more calls to the fire department. The district answered 4,004 calls in 2012 with 38 firefighters and 30 volunteers.

Additional funding would allow the district to construct additional stations at Peine Road and Hwy. 40/61 and at Hwy. N and Hwy. Z.

Bornhop also mentioned that the cost of gas, utilities and supplies are increasing.

The current rate for the fire district is 48 cents for every $100 of assessed value.