Excerpts from DailyHerald.com:
The Rutland Dundee Fire Protection District is seeking a court order to end its long-standing contract with the West Dundee Fire Protection District, under which Rutland provides fire and ambulance services to roughly 30 homes. The district claims that its residents are unfairly subsidizing these services, as they pay three times what the West Dundee residents pay for the same service.
The original agreement, signed in November 2004, set the annual cost at $7,500. Over time, the price has been adjusted for inflation and now stands at around $12,000. However, Rutland officials argue that the contract was last modified by board members who are no longer in office, making it invalid under current leadership.
West Dundee Fire Protection District, located near Frontenac Drive and Boncosky Road, is a taxing body that exists mainly on paper. Under state law, it is allowed to contract for fire and ambulance services. Tom Gilbert, the district’s attorney, insists that Rutland should honor the deal, which is set to expire in April 2020. He emphasized that the agreement has been updated over the years, and Rutland residents are currently paying the maximum allowed under the Property Tax Limitation Act.
“It is the deal they made,†Gilbert said. “We plan to stick to the agreement.â€
The lawsuit also highlights that all the Rutland fire trustees who initially approved the contract and subsequent amendments are no longer on the board, meaning the current board may not be legally bound by the terms.
If the court rules in favor of terminating the contract, several scenarios could unfold. The West Dundee Fire Protection District might seek services from another district or negotiate a new agreement with Rutland at a higher cost. In the early 2000s, the district previously contracted with the village of West Dundee for fire services, but switched to Rutland after the village requested an increase.
The case is scheduled to go before a judge on August 13.
Thanks, Ron
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