On Tuesday, April 10, 2018, the DuPage County Board took a significant step toward dissolving the North Westmont Fire Protection District. The decision was made unanimously, marking another chapter in the county's ongoing effort to streamline local government operations.
The dissolution of the district will eliminate its annual tax levy and relieve it of $300,000 in debt accumulated over five years. Additionally, $11,000 in administrative costs will be redirected to support fire services more efficiently. Under an agreement with the Village of Westmont, the cost of fire and ambulance services will be fairly distributed among residents in unincorporated areas of the district.
"This is a great example of how collaboration between local governments can benefit taxpayers," said DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin. "The new model ensures sustainable funding for essential public services, and I appreciate the efforts of Westmont officials, fire district representatives, and residents who worked together to make this possible."
A 2016 survey showed strong support from residents for transitioning fire protection services to the Village of Westmont. In June 2017, the county board approved Westmont’s request to create a Special Service Area (SSA) that would ensure fair and equitable rates for all residents. The village officially approved the SSA in December, and the County Clerk established it in February 2018.
This move makes the North Westmont Fire Protection District the fifth local government entity dissolved by DuPage County in recent years. Others include the Timberlake Estates Sanitary District, the DuPage Fair and Exposition Authority, the Fairview Fire Protection District, and the Century Hill Street Lighting District.
From dailyherald.com:The North Westmont Fire Protection District, which functions as a paper district collecting taxes to fund fire and ambulance services for an unincorporated area near Westmont, is set to become the fifth local government entity disbanded by DuPage County.
County board members voted to begin the dissolution process, meaning the district’s roughly 4,000 residents will continue to receive emergency services from the Westmont Fire Department. Unlike traditional fire districts, North Westmont doesn’t have its own fire station, equipment, or personnel. Instead, it collects property taxes from 561 parcels and uses the funds to pay the village for emergency response services.
Under the new arrangement, residents will pay the village through a newly created Special Service Area (SSA), which covers parts of Westmont, Downers Grove, and Oak Brook. This change aims to provide a more efficient and fair system for delivering fire and ambulance services.
A 2013 state law allowed DuPage County to dissolve several local entities, including North Westmont. Since then, the county has successfully dissolved four other units, and the push to disband the fire protection district gained momentum after a 2016 survey showed most residents supported the move.
In June 2017, the county board authorized Westmont to establish the SSA, which the village approved in December. The County Clerk finalized the creation of the SSA in February 2018, completing the transition process.
Industrial Aluminium Profile,Aluminium Extrusion Profiles,aluminium curtain wall profiles,Industry Aluminum Alloy Profile
Foshan Modern Copper & Aluminum Extrusion Co.,Ltd. , https://www.fsmodernaluminium.com