Jefferson County Voters Could See Property Tax Relief Under New Fire District Proposal
Rock Community Fire Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle says the April ballot measure could reduce property taxes while maintaining emergency services.
By Jefferson Review Staff
Several Jefferson County emergency service districts are asking voters to consider a significant change in how local fire and EMS services are funded.
During a recent interview, Rock Community Fire Protection District Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle discussed Proposition Fire, a ballot measure that would shift a portion of fire district funding from property taxes to sales taxes while reducing property tax levies.
The proposal will appear on the April ballot in four Jefferson County fire districts: Rock Community, Antonia, Saline Valley, and High Ridge. Two ambulance districts, Big River and North Jefferson, are also presenting similar funding measures to voters.
How the Funding Shift Works
The proposal would increase the fire district sales tax by one half of one percent. In exchange, the district would reduce its property tax revenue each year by an amount equal to half of the sales tax collected the previous year.
According to Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle, the goal is to ease the burden on homeowners while spreading the cost of emergency services across everyone who uses the community’s businesses and infrastructure.
“The ultimate goal is to provide relief to our property owners while allowing everyone who uses our community to help support emergency services.”
— Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle
The Rock Community Fire Protection District serves approximately 60,000 residents across 38 square miles. The district covers Arnold, Kimmswick, Barnhart, and surrounding areas with five fire stations and responds to roughly 6,000 emergency calls each year.
Rock Community is also the only fire district in Jefferson County operating advanced life support fire engines staffed with paramedics.
What It Could Mean for Homeowners
Wingbermuehle explained that the tax adjustment could lower property taxes for homeowners depending on property values and sales tax collections.
Using a simplified example, he said a homeowner with a property valued around $100,000 could see an estimated reduction of roughly $40 per year in property taxes based on current projections.
The chief emphasized that the proposal does not increase the overall tax burden but instead changes how emergency services are funded.
By utilizing sales taxes, visitors, commuters, and other non residents who make purchases in the district would also contribute to funding emergency services.
Long Term Impact
The Rock Community Fire Protection District already operates a half cent sales tax approved by voters in 2006. Since that time, the district has reduced property tax levies by nearly $34 million through annual rollbacks tied to sales tax collections.
District leaders say expanding the sales tax mechanism could allow the district to continue reducing property tax pressure while maintaining current service levels.
Wingbermuehle said the district’s primary goal ahead of the April election is educating voters so they can make an informed decision.
“Our goal is simply to provide the facts so voters can decide whether this funding model works for their community.”
— Chief Kevin Wingbermuehle
Residents seeking more information about the proposal can visit the Rock Community Fire Protection District website or contact the district directly for additional details.
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