The new question will appear on the November ballot to recoup the $620,000
HIGBEE — When Higbee Fire Chief Joe Roberts went to vote in the August 6 primary, he realized something was horribly wrong.
“My stomach sank a little bit,” Roberts said.
On the August 6 primary ballot, the Higbee Fire Protection District proposition was approved 370-94, almost 80% of the vote. The proposition was supposed to approve a $1,620,000 bond. However, the ballot language was wrong, and voters only approved a million dollars.
“To rectify this, we will be reintroducing the remainder of that amount on the November ballot to secure the full bond that was initially communicated,” a press release from the department said.
The fire protection district is not requesting additional funds; they are only seeking the amount that they were originally granted. The additional funds will also not affect taxes.
When Roberts saw the mistake, he got a hold of the finance company and asked what could be done. As far as he knows, this is the first bond issue the city has had.
“If we go back and ask for a bond, we’ll have a better understanding,” Roberts said.
Roberts plans to use the money to update equipment, provide more in-depth training to his volunteers, and expand the building they’re currently operating in. He said the bond will be able to take care of them for a long time.
“The 1.62 million is going to make such an impact on us that our general revenue will be able to cover so much more,” Roberts said.
The new question will appear on the November ballot to recoup the remaining $625,000. Roberts thanks his community for their generous support, and hopes that they’ll continue to support them come November.