Antioch looking at tax referendum for EMS

Antioch looking at tax referendum for EMS

The *Daily Herald* recently published an article discussing a proposed tax levy aimed at supporting emergency medical services (EMS) in Antioch. Local officials are working to streamline emergency services by establishing a unified fire and rescue operation, which would be funded through a new property tax initiative. The plan, expected to launch within two months, would place the Antioch Fire Department in charge of all fire and rescue services across both the village of Antioch and Antioch Township. A key element of the proposal is the creation of the area’s first dedicated tax levy for emergency services. Fire Chief John Nixon mentioned that the fire safety commission is currently meeting with village and township leaders to schedule a 25-cent property tax referendum on the November ballot. If approved, homeowners with a $150,000 property would pay approximately $140 per year to support the new system. The measure would include separate questions for village and township voters, and approval from both would generate around $1.6 million annually for the fire department. This initiative aims to replace the current fragmented system, where three separate agencies — the First Fire Protection District of Antioch, the Antioch Rescue Squad, and the Antioch Fire Department — share responsibility for emergency services. The new structure would consolidate operations under a single fire department, overseen by a five-member emergency services board. This board would consist of appointed representatives from both the village and the township. An intergovernmental agreement between the village and township would formalize the shift, ensuring that the fire department becomes the sole provider of fire and rescue services in the area. Additionally, the village and township would be required to cover any extra costs beyond what the tax levy generates. To ensure adequate coverage, the fire department plans to staff three stations: two in the village, which accounts for 65% of all fire calls, and one on Grass Lake Road serving unincorporated areas of Antioch Township. Currently, the village, township, insurance companies, and private donations help fund the existing emergency agencies, but officials say this model is unsustainable. Antioch Village Administrator Jim Keim explained that the village spends about $66,000 monthly on Metro Paramedic Service to staff ambulances and handle rescue calls. Only about half of this cost is recovered through patient payments or insurance reimbursements, leaving the rest to be covered by the local government. “We need to find a way to fund this,” Keim said. “Until then, it will put stress on the village’s general fund.” As part of the overhaul, the Antioch Rescue Squad (ARS) has been affected. The First Fire District announced it will not renew its contract with ARS, ending their partnership. The contract expires in May, and the rescue squad will now focus on community paramedicine, including wellness checks and home health care. This marks another challenge for the 75-year-old volunteer organization, which has faced declining relevance in recent years.

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