The Management of the Hillsboro Fire Protection District strives for transparency. We want our tax payers to know where their money is going and how it is being spent. We are more than happy to discuss any questions our taxpayers may have. Here are a few facts: For the Fiscal Year 2023 (Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023) the Hillsboro Fire District's tax rate is $0.4722 per $100.00 of assessed valuation. This typically cost a homeowner of a $150,000.00 house $134 a year or 36 cents a day.
As promised with the passage of the 2015 sales tax, your 2023 tax rate has been lowered from our tax rate ceiling of $0.5724 down to $0.4722. That is a full $0.1002 you are saving due to the sales tax.
We have the lowest tax rate for any Fire District in Jefferson County. We are a completely solvent district.
Our current budget for FY2023 is $1,134,000, from General Revenue (Real, Personal and Sales Tax), an additional $337,000 in available grant funds to hire 6 more full time firefighters, and $16,200.00 in other funding sources (permit fees, interest income, sale of assets) for a total of $1,487,200. This money goes to maintain 12 various pieces of apparatus, 2 engine houses, 14 full time paid firefighters, and 20 volunteer firefighters. It should be noted the $337,000 is only available for 3 years and will expire 1/31/2024 due to the district receiving a federal grant to hire 6 firefighters. Our budget includes four different funds:
General Fund - All income comes into this account and this account is used to pay the bills every 2 weeks. Annually, money from the general fund is budgeted to be transferred to other funds from this fund.
Equipment and Apparatus Fund - This fund is where we show the money we are saving for long term capital expenses such as fire trucks and other very expensive projects. We attempt to save what we can for capital purchases. A new pumper costs anywhere from $700,000.00-$800,000.00. To replace our entire fleet cost in excess of 2.5 million dollars. We attempt to transfer 10 to 15% annually to this fund. In Within the next 6 years, 2 large fire apparatus will need to be replaced. The combined cost is a million plus. We must be diligent about saving money.
Building and Land Fund - This fund was established to begin the process to save for a long term problems that will need to be addressed for our fire station such as parking lot repairs, computer system upgrades, HVAC projects or other problems.
Check out the links below to view our FY 2023 budgets.
Did you know that we hire an independent audit firm annually to perform a complete audit of the district's financial position and a complete review of management practices? This is part of our Board of Directors and Administration's commitment to the transparency of your fire district. 2021's Audit report can be viewed by clicking the link below!