The ballot measure would merge Pearl Fire Protection District into Spring Creek Fire Protection District, giving Spring Creek legal jurisdiction to improve service in Pearl, where it has already served as the contracted department for 25 years

By Alex Fischer
Jacksonville Journal-Courier

NEBO, Ill. — Southern Pike County residents will vote next week on a ballot measure deciding whether to consolidate fire departments.

The ballot measure reads: “Shall Pearl Fire Protection District be consolidated with Spring Creek Fire Protection District to organize Spring Creek Fire Protection District, and shall the maximum allowable tax rate for Spring Creek Fire Protection District be set at 0.30% (rate of tax, stated as a percentage) of the value of all taxable property within Spring Creek Fire Protection District as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue ?”

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Pearl Fire Protection District serves Pearl, while Spring Creek Fire Protection District serves Nebo and Spring Creek Township.

Pearl has its own fire protection district but hasn’t had an operating fire department since the early 2000s, according to an online statement from Spring Creek Fire Department, which has been filling that gap as Pearl’s contracted fire department for the past 25 years.

“This doesn’t allow for Spring Creek to attempt to make any improvements in fire protection for the Pearl area,” according to the Spring Creek department. “What Spring Creek is attempting to do is consolidate Pearl and Spring Creek into one fire district so Spring Creek has legal jurisdictions to provide a better service to the residents.”

The current maximum allowable tax rate already is 0.30%, according to the Spring Creek department.

“So, there is little to no expected changes done on that front,” according to the department. “The true topic at hand is consolidating Spring Creek and Pearl into one district.”

Pearl received a $350,000 grant last year to build a new fire station, which is set to be operated by Spring Creek Fire Department.

“Work has already begun on this process, as we are in the process of constructing a fire station in Pearl so we have firefighters and equipment there for a quicker response,” the statement reads.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Do you think fire district consolidation like this helps rural communities get better protection, or does it create new challenges?

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