QUINCY — Grant County Fire District 3 officials will be looking at the district’s long-term planning to determine the best use of additional funds generated by the levy increase approved by district voters in November.

The “levy lid lift” received 812 yes votes and 534 no votes. It’s an increase in an existing levy, and will raise the amount levied in property taxes in the fire district to $1.30 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Collection of the additional levy money will start in 2024. The levy is paid by property owners within the district. The city of Quincy contracts with GCFD 3 for fire services, but is not part of the district.

David Durfee, GCFD 3 deputy chief, said district officials need to plan to ensure any personnel changes or programs are sustainable. Whatever fire district officials decide to do must fit within the long-term goals and available funds, he said. 

“We already had a plan in place, but now that we know the money is coming in, we need to sit down and forecast the next five years,” Durfee said.

Fire district officials have hired two additional firefighters and are interviewing applicants for a mechanic apprentice job. All three positions are scheduled to start in January. 

Along with some personnel changes, GCFD 3 officials want to use the money to help pay for new equipment, maintain and upgrade the district’s six fire stations, pay for continuing education and training for volunteers and paid staff, and more public education, among other things.

“We’re going to concentrate on those main things,” Durfee said. 

Durfee said in an earlier interview that the request was prompted in part by rising costs, as well as growth in the Quincy Valley. He estimated call volume had increased by about 35% in five years. 

The fire district’s responsibilities extend beyond fighting fires. 

“Those aren’t just fire calls. We’re an all-hazard fire department, so we run on fire calls, EMS calls, hazardous materials calls, special rescue calls. That’s what we mean by all hazards,” he said.

Inflation has affected GCFD 3 just like it’s affected everyone else — Durfee estimated fuel costs have increased by about 45% in five years. The district’s equipment is about 25 years old on average, which is about five years older than the district target.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.