Fire Commissioners Adopt Annual Budget Below the State Tax Cap

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District recently adopted the 2021 budget, which falls below the New York State’s tax cap of 1.56 percent, according to James Surless, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. The East Meadow Fire District is subject to New York State’s property-tax-cap legislation, limiting annual increases on property taxes, unless changed by the board. Commissioner Surless estimates that the average homeowner’s tax bill will increase approximately 50 cents per month, or $6 a year, and credits careful fiscal planning and responsibility in helping to keep tax increases to a minimum.

“The Board of Fire Commissioners came up with a budget that is sensitive to the needs of our taxpayers, especially those affected by the pandemic, or living on a fixed income,” said Commissioner Surless, who notes that the fire district tax is among the smallest portion of the overall tax bill, yet provides a vital service to the community. “We were able to balance the needs of the taxpayers with that of continuing to provide the high level of fire protection and emergency medical services that the community has come to expect.”

Factors that contributed to the budget increase included higher costs for employee salaries and benefits, insurance, fuel, supplies, unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 response. Expenses incurred due to COVID-19 include purchasing sanitizing products for all firehouses, district buildings and emergency apparatus, and personal protective equipment for volunteers. The paid maintenance staff also require COVID-19 compliant personal protective equipment.

The Board of Fire Commissioners has enacted several cost-saving measures that include installing energy-efficient LED lighting and heating and air conditioning systems in all of the district’s buildings. A capital reserve fund provides the money needed to replace high-cost items such as fire and rescue apparatus, thus saving taxpayers the hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest costs were the equipment purchased through the issuance of long-term bonds.

The East Meadow Fire District was established in 1930 as a separate tax entity, and is governed by an unpaid five-member Board of Fire Commissioners. Board members are elected at-large by the voters of the district to five-year terms. Among the commissioners’ duties are statutory responsibilities that include levying taxes to support the all-volunteer fire department, which provides fire protection and emergency medical services to residents and businesses within the borders of the fire district. The East Meadow Fire District encompasses most of East Meadow, along with portions of Levittown and Westbury (Salisbury).

For more information about the fire district or to learn about volunteer opportunities with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit www.eastmeadowfd.com.