BBR passes fire levy

Black Butte Ranch homeowners overwhelmingly voted last week to tax themselves to maintain their current level of fire protection.

Voters passed a two-year $261,000 levy to replace funds lost under Measure 49/50 tax- cutting measures. The Black Butte Rural Fire Protection District stood to lose two of its seven full-time positions as well as the funding for its student scholarship program if the levy failed. Six of the district's 10 volunteer firefighters are part of that program.

The vote was 186 in favor and 43 opposed for a 81 percent to 19 percent margin of victory; the election had a 73 percent turnout.

According to Fire Chief Darell Churchill, the district can now maintain its staffing and programs and also purchase 12 breathing units for its firefighters.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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