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Antioch looking at tax referendum for EMS
The *Daily Herald* recently published an article discussing a new tax initiative aimed at supporting emergency medical services (EMS) in Antioch. Local officials are proposing a unified fire and rescue system to streamline emergency response across the area, with residents being asked to contribute financially. The plan, which could be implemented within two months, would place the Antioch Fire Department as the sole provider of fire and rescue services for both the village of Antioch and Antioch Township. A new five-member emergency services board would oversee the operation.
A key part of the proposal is the introduction of a new property tax levy specifically for emergency services. Fire Chief John Nixon explained that the fire safety commission is currently working with local leaders to include a 25-cent per $100 of assessed value tax on the November ballot. If approved, homeowners of a $150,000 property would pay approximately $140 annually to support the new system. The referendum would have separate questions for village and township voters, with both needing approval to generate around $1.6 million each year for the department.
Currently, emergency services in the 37-square-mile area are managed by three separate entities: the First Fire Protection District of Antioch, the Antioch Rescue Squad, and the Antioch Fire Department. This has led to confusion and inefficiencies. The fire district handles fire calls in the village and unincorporated areas, while rescue calls are split between the fire department in the village and the rescue squad in the township.
Under the new plan, an intergovernmental agreement will formalize the Antioch Fire Department as the sole provider. The five-member emergency services board will replace the current three-member fire protection board, with representatives from both the village and township. Additionally, the village and township will be responsible for any extra funding needed beyond the tax levy.
To ensure full coverage, the fire department plans to staff three stations. Two will be located in the village, where most of the calls originate, and a third station on Grass Lake Road will serve the unincorporated areas of Antioch Township.
Presently, operating costs are covered through a mix of village and township funds, insurance companies, and private donations. However, this model is unsustainable, according to Nixon. Antioch Village Administrator Jim Keim noted that the village spends about $66,000 monthly on Metro Paramedic Service to staff ambulances and handle rescue calls. Only about half of that cost is recouped through patient payments or insurance, leaving the rest to be covered by the village’s general fund.
“We need to find a way to fund this,†Keim said. “Until then, it will put stress on the village’s budget.†As part of the transition, the First Fire Protection District announced it will not renew its contract with the Antioch Rescue Squad, ending their partnership by May. This marks another setback for the 75-year-old volunteer-based group, which has faced challenges since 2012.
ARS Chief Brian DeKind stated that the squad will now focus on community paramedicine, including wellness checks and home health care. With the shift in emergency services, the future of the rescue squad remains uncertain, but they aim to adapt and continue serving the community in a different capacity.