Sales Tax is a WIN for Cimarron Hills families
We are a Community Centered FAMILY Department. This means when we sit down at the table to discuss our department budget, we are thinking about YOUR budget too.
In 2019, facing a revenue crunch and inflation, we had come to terms with turning fire/medical services over to the Colorado Springs Fire Department via contract. But, the most amazing thing happened when they suddenly pulled out of the agreement in September and property values unexpectedly rose. The Cimarron Hills Fire department not only sustained, but grew out of a vision to find new ways to source revenue, provide critical experience for our firefighters, and meet the needs of our diverse and growing community.
In the last 5 years:
- Full time line staffing has doubled from 4-8 Firefighter/EMS responders per day
- An EMS/Ambulance program was implemented, ensuring timely response for transport
- A wildland deployment program was implemented, providing invaluable experience for our firefighters and bringing in additional revenue that has already funded an ambulance and critical firefighting equipment
- The population in our Community continues to grow, both residentially and commercially, resulting in increased call volume
- Back to back and overlapping calls have reached critical levels at 30% - resulting in a dependence on mutual aid which increases response time to emergency incidents
- Our vehicle fleet is aging and maintenance costs are rising. Replacement is becoming critical.
- Staffing levels need to increase to minimize reliance on mutual aid for calls
- Renovations to our 1974 Fire Station (originally designed to house 6) or a new facility is needed to house our current (8) and potential increased line staff
- We must stay competitive with pay and benefits to retain and attract the best employees
- The district is currently funded by PROPERTY tax, meaning the property owners (and arguable renters) are paying for services provided to anyone needing them in or passing through the district.
- SALES TAX would be paid by everyone doing business in the district, from those who make big purchases from our commercial production facilities/vendors, to visitors shopping at our small businesses or dining at our fast food establishments. Sales tax, in effect, SHARES THE BURDEN for funding fire/ems services.
- Increase the mill levy to fund increased operating & maintenance costs (paid for by property owners)
- Put a BOND measure on the ballot to secure capital funding for new apparatus and station renovations. (this would be an additional property tax assessment paid by the property owners over 10-15 years... which would need to be revisited as apparatus age)
Join us at an upcoming informational meeting to learn more and ask questions!
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| February 12 | 7 pm | Cimarron Hills Fire HQ - 1835 Tuskegee Place |
| March 13 | 6 pm | Cimarron Hills Fire HQ - 1835 Tuskegee Place |
| April 22 | 7 pm | Cimarron Hills Fire HQ - 1835 Tuskegee Place |
| May 12 | 6 pm | Cimarron Hills Fire HQ - 1835 Tuskegee Place |
| June 25 | 7 pm | Cimarron Hills Fire HQ - 1835 Tuskegee Place |
| July 15 | 6 pm | Cimarron Hills Fire HQ - 1835 Tuskegee Place |
Informational Meeting Dates and locations will be updated as scheduled. Please visit our page often as we will update with answers to YOUR questions.
