The Westside Fire District is again asking voters to approve a two-year, temporary levy to support staffing levels.  

The announcement was made Monday afternoon by Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS Chief Jeff Armstrong, who is seeking the levy request for a second year in a row after voters denied the request in 2025.  

If approved, the override will see a tax increase of $23 per $100,000 taxable assessed value, per year, to $67 per $100,000 taxable assessed value, per year.   

Armstrong said the request will only address an increase in staffing levels and would not be used to purchase new apparatus or engines, as requested in years prior. Though other equipment is needed by the department, he said district leadership is pursuing other means of funds to support those needs.  

"One of the challenges facing small fire districts is that our communities expect and deserve reliable emergency services, but we must provide those services with significantly fewer resources than larger agencies," Armstrong said. "This temporary levy gives the voters an opportunity to consider additional staffing while we continue working toward sustainable, long-term solutions." 

If approved, the district would be able to staff two firefighters/EMTs a day instead of the current one firefighter/EMT a day.  

The district encourages community members with questions to reach out to the department or attend a Westside Fire Board of Commissioners meeting, held on the second Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m. at 825 Railroad Ave. in Dover.  

"We are often asked why we haven’t been able to keep up financially while the community has grown. The primary reason being, our budgets do not increase with growth. Therefore, we have no way to keep up with that growth or inflation without voter approval," Armstrong said.  

Residents are also encouraged to attend upcoming meetings and town halls to discuss the district's needs. Locations and times will be announced on the fire district's social media channels.