Dear Editor,
The Village of Owego Fire Department (OFD) wants to become a fire district, which means they would be able to raise their own taxes, would set their own budget and would no longer be a Village of Owego department. The reasons the OFD has presented for becoming a fire district have not made sense in my opinion.
There was the unfounded fear that the Village Board would dissolve OFD and contract with the Town of Owego Fire District for fire and EMS services; that is an action that was never expressed by any Board member nor myself as something we would pursue. There was a concern that the Village could dissolve and the Town of Owego Fire District would take over fire and EMS services; that is also not an option planned by the Village Board.
Recently a member of the OFD Legal Committee said billing for EMS services would be easier under a fire district; however, billing for EMS services by the Village EMS Squad is possible now with a reorganization of OFD and EMS into two departments that would function in close harmony as they do today. The issue of the cost of EMS services seems to be the primary impetus for conversion to a fire district.
Currently the salary and benefits for two full-time Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) are paid for from a fund donated by Mrs. Sweet for health services in Owego. The Sweet Fund pays approximately $150,000 annually for two full-time daytime EMTs. The fund currently has a balance of about $450,000. In three years it will be depleted. The options when the Sweet Fund is depleted will be to bill insurance companies for services rendered, to increase taxes (either Village taxes or Village fire district taxes), or eliminate paid EMT’s on the day shift. I consider the last two options unsatisfactory.
Most people have some form of health insurance that will pay for EMS services. My opinion is that billing for service needs to be pursued aggressively to be able to continue to provide the current level of EMS service. One hundred percent recovery of bills from insurance companies is unlikely, but even 40 to 50 percent would go a long way towards paying for EMS services.
The present Village organizational structure allows significant voter input regarding taxes and services since 50 percent of the Village board can be replaced every year. In a fire district there are five commissioners and one, or 20 percent, is elected every year. The essential question for Village of Owego taxpayers to consider is this: Will your taxes for fire and EMS service be controlled better by a Village Board or by a fire commission?
There is a Public Hearing scheduled for Monday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Auditorium at the County Office Building, 56 Main Street, to hear the opinions of Village of Owego residents on this issue.
Sincerely,
Kevin Millar
Village of Owego Mayor
