Firefighters Battling Over Tax Increase

A firefighter fight is heating up in Rogers County. They're battling over a tax increase on next week's ballot that would help the county's smaller fire companies. The News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports the quarter-cent sales tax is designed to help the smaller fire departments pay for new equipment. Some firefighters say it's about striking while the iron is hot. But others say increasing taxes now, will only leave residents burned.

The Fire Chiefs Association says the tax increase would bring in $1.5 million. And, some small departments need the money to survive.

"The money would generate about seven years of my budget, it one year," said Inola Fire Department Chief Barney Grigg.

But the county's largest department says it's a detriment to development.

"We're in a market with other cities that are around us, and we don't want to be the highest price personal sales tax, and that would affect the people coming in and wanting to put stores in Claremore," said Claremore Fire Department Captain Casey Morrison.

Claremore firefighters are against the proposal. The city already has a tax on the books that pays fire protection.

"We believe that is double taxation, to receive two taxes for the same thing," said Morrison.

Claremore firefighters admit that the city sales tax only goes to help their fire department. But, because of that, they say they have the added responsibility of going out wherever they're needed.

"Since over half the money is collected in the city limits of Claremore for Rogers County, we feel it'd be unfair for our citizens to have to support things that are going on in the far reaches of the county," said Morrison.

"Fires burn the same all across Oklahoma, whether its rural, city, municipal or county. Doesn't matter," said Verdigris Fire Department Chief Robert Cox.

Verdigris spends one dollar on fire protection for every four dollar Claremore spends, but Chief Cox says he has to cover three times the area. He says he wants to open a second station, but unless things change, he can't afford it.

"You need the same technology; you need the same training, as every other department," said Cox.

Rogers County's finest are split down the middle on how to best protect their residents. The firefighter fight will be put out at the ballot box.

Some of the smaller fire departments tell me they've explored other options, like grants and millages, but say the quarter-sales-tax is the fairest option.

Claremore has more equipment and more personnel than any other township. The volunteer companies say they're fighting for self-sufficiency.

Voters on Tuesday will decide if that's the best thing for the future.