Officials representing Vernon Township, Fortville and McCordsville have approved the creation of a fire protection territory.
The township’s board and both towns’ councils voted unanimously on Wednesday, June 17, in favor of the territory, which would include both towns as well as the township’s unincorporated areas.
If the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance approves, a new tax rate will be established to fund the territory’s estimated 2021 operating budget of nearly $4.3 million.
Vernon Township is pursuing sustainable 24/7/365 fire and ambulance service, something that, without a fire territory, it’s not equipped to provide for too much longer. The township hopes to eventually add full-time firefighters to its ranks of paid part-time and paid-per-run firefighters. It also eventually wants to have a fire station in McCordsville that can be staffed at all times, like the one in Fortville.