Benton Township Public Officials asking Taxpayers for support to join the Monroe Fire Protection District
February 12, 2020

Our Township strives to provide the highest quality fire and emergency services to our residents. We are now at a critical decision-making point regarding how our fire protection services are provided, since the way we have been providing services for over 40 years is no longer available and we need to plan for the future.

As with many other volunteer township fire departments across the state, we at a critical situation in which our expenses to run a volunteer fire department and to contract with a career fire department is more than our maximum revenue. Last year, we had to dip into our cash reserves in order to cover our basic expenses, and we are only able to do that for a short time. Even contracting with the Fire District, or hiring our own paid staff, is costs significantly more than what we can afford long-term at our current tax levels.

The Benton Township Trustee, along with the Township Board, has been aware of our precarious position for the last several years. During that time, we have worked diligently to find the best option to ensure our residents have high-quality fire protection and emergency services for the lowest cost for the long term. We have come to the conclusion that the best way to do this is for us to follow the footsteps of Indian Creek, Van Buren, and Bloomington Townships and join the Monroe Fire Protection District.

How will we benefit by joining? We will receive:

• Benton Township’s first full time paid firefighters (two per shift), who will serve our community alongside our volunteer firefighters;
• Faster response times to fire and medical emergencies by having first responders available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from our fire station;
• Possible savings on homeowner’s insurance rates (depending on your agency);
• Reduced administrative and operating costs by streamlining services; and
• Minimize tax impact by spreading the cost of services over a larger number of people.

This improved level of service is sustainable by tax revenue and is not conditioned on any Federal or State grant.

In order to move forward, we need eligible property owners to cast a vote by signing and returning a postcard to the Township Trustee indicating they are interested in joining the Monroe Fire District.

**MARK YOUR CALENDARS**
We will be holding public meetings to discuss in more detail how these changes will impact taxpayers and to answer any questions that you might have. Please join us at the Unionville Senior Center (7616 E. State Road 45, Unionville, IN) at 6:30 p.m. on either March 23, March 24, or March 26. Each meeting will feature the same presentation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Last updated 02/17/2020)
Will be updated frequently as people contact us

PRESS RELEASES (Last updated 02/14/2020)
B Square Beacon (02/13/2020): County commissioners agree to Benton Township on path to join Monroe County Fire Protection District
The Herald Times (02/14/2020): Benton Township considering joining fire protection district  This is behind the H-T paywall. Please contact our office if you would like a paper copy mailed to you.

Questions? Please contact Benton Township Trustee Michelle Bright at 812-339-6593 or michelleabright@gmail.com to set up a time to talk on the phone or meet in person.