Fire Levy Increase Proposal Notice

Greetings,

On behalf of the Seven Hills Fire District, I write to its citizens asking for your support regarding our department’s future. For over ten years now, Seven Hills has seen an expanding residential footprint out west that demands attention regarding public safety. With a population that rivals several cities to our north combined (over 14,000), Seven Hills has reached a precipice regarding our calls for service. Historically, older versions of the fire service were reserved for “traffic accidents, house fires, and heart attacks.” Today’s fire service consists not only of those types of calls, but so much more. And with every additional residential and commercial addition to our district, so do our calls for service. Simply put, the demand for our fire department exceeds our supply.

Currently, every property owner in Seven Hills is assessed a fee of seventy dollars a year ($5.83/month). Seven Hills is asking for an increase to one hundred fifty dollars a year ($12.50/month). Seven Hills is well aware that this is a significant increase from our current rate. However, support for the rate increase is a very important step in ensuring your fire department can respond accordingly to the needs of the district. Over the course of the next few months, we will make that presentation to you. We will be scheduling several public meetings, hosting our monthly board meetings, and are willing to meet with any respective HOA group that invites us to your meetings. The first public meeting will be February 26th at Pathway Church at 7:00 pm, 10775 Airport Blvd. At these meetings, you will hear our presentation on how Seven Hills Fire Rescue plans to better serve its citizens. At the conclusion of these meetings, we hope you gain a better understanding of your fire department, and we ask each and every one of you to support its future.

My first time in the EMS and fire world started right here over twenty-five years ago. To have seen the growth from then to now is a huge understatement. From fishing in the ponds off Johnson Road to riding my dirt bike on the dirt roads and trails, so much has changed. That pond is still there, but now a park sits close to it, along with a ninety-acre development several miles down. Our community is growing, and like all things, so must our fire department. I ask that you please come out and give us some of your time so we can address the needs of the fire district and explain why your support is vital to that success.

I thank you for your time and look forward to speaking to you in the near future.

Matt Waltman
Chief
Seven Hills Fire District
chief720@sevenhillsfd.org
251-455-5378

WHY THE FIRE LEVY INCREASE IS NECESSARY

• Last fire fee levy was in April 2016

• West Mobile is rapidly growing with new neighborhoods and businesses.

• Emergency call volume continues to rise every year.

• The current $70 annual fee no longer meets operational needs.

• Equipment, maintenance, protective gear, and fuel costs have increased substantially.

• Volunteers remain committed — but resources must grow with demand.

Did You Know?

– A single set of firefighter gear costs over $3,500.

– A fire engine can cost over $500,000 -- a new one- close to $1,000,000!

WHAT THE PROPOSED LEVY PROVIDES

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MAKES POSSIBLE

• Expanded paid staffing during peak hours

• A new station location (TBD)

• Improved emergency response times

• Enhanced support for a growing district

• Current fee: $70 per household per year ($5.83/month)

• Proposed fee: $150 per household per year ($12.50/month)

WHERE YOUR CURRENT DOLLARS GO

TRANSPARENT USE OF FUNDS

Projected Breakdown:

• 60% — Operations & Equipment

• 25% — Training & Protective Gear

• 10% — Facilities & Maintenance

• 5% — Community Outreach & Fire Prevention

Commitment to You:

• We maintain strict financial oversight and yearly budget reviews. Refer to our Fiscal Year tab on our website for more information.

• Your investment directly strengthens our ability for quicker response.

ACCOUNTABILITY & OUTCOMES

• Improved response times during peak call hours.

• Increased staffing availability for daytime responses.

• Enhanced firefighter safety and readiness.

• Annual public reporting on fee usage.