Westside Fire seeks two-year temporary levy

The Westside Fire District is again asking voters to approve a two-year, temporary levy to support staffing levels.  

Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS Chief Jeff Armstrong announced the request Monday afternoon, seeking approval for a second year in a row after voters denied it in 2025.  

If approved, the override would increase the tax rate by $23 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year, to $67 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year.   

Armstrong said the request will only address an increase in staffing levels and will not be used to purchase new apparatus or engines, as requested in prior years. Though the department needs other equipment, he said district leadership is pursuing other funding sources to support those needs.  

"One of the challenges facing small fire districts is that our communities expect and deserve reliable emergency services, but we must provide those services with significantly fewer resources than larger agencies," Armstrong said. "This temporary levy gives the voters an opportunity to consider additional staffing while we continue working toward sustainable, long-term solutions." 

If approved, the district could staff two firefighters/EMTs a day instead of the current one firefighter/EMT a day.  

The district encourages community members with questions to contact the department or attend a Westside Fire Board of Commissioners meeting, held on the second Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m. at 825 Railroad Ave. in Dover.  

"We are often asked why we haven’t been able to keep up financially while the community has grown. The primary reason being, our budgets do not increase with growth. Therefore, we have no way to keep up with that growth or inflation without voter approval," Armstrong said.  

Residents are also encouraged to attend upcoming meetings and town halls to discuss the district's needs. The fire district will announce locations and times on its social media channels.