Jeffersonville officials weigh new fire territory amid concerns over tax impact

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Clark County, Indiana, may get a new fire territory.

The Jeffersonville City Council met Tuesday evening to discuss the creation of a new fire territory that would cover the City of Jeffersonville and Utica Township.

But not everyone in Clark County is on board with the potential tax implications. City officials commissioned a study to see how financially viable a new fire protection district would be.

This is all connected to the fallout from the Jamey Noel case. Noel used to lead New Chapel EMS and the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department, with the contract between New Chapel and Clark County ending last year and was replaced by Muncie-based Heartland Ambulance Service.

But, even with Heartland moving into the area, there are still gaps to fill in coverage.

The proposed new fire protection district would spread the cost of fire services across a larger tax base and set a new tax rate for fire services.

However, some Clark County leaders said that will destroy their budgets.

"The overall impact of the three-year plan on this is a half a million dollars on my budget, and I only have about 3.5 out of the levy to begin with," Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges said. "When you factor that in with what's happening with the General Assembly, with the potential impacts of Senate Bill 1, in addition to this, you will devastate the City of Charlestown's funding."

An amended Senate Bill 1 passed through a Senate committee Tuesday. The bill would place a 1% cap on property tax increases in 2027 and a 2% cap in 2028.

There is another public meeting scheduled for next Thursday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. on the proposed fire district.

Previous Coverage: