In 20 years, the Beach City Fire Department hasn’t asked residents for new money. With the rising cost of equipment and more advanced technology, it hasn’t been easy, Chief Bill Anderson said. For the first time since the 1999 November election, Beach City Fire Department will ask residents to approve a 3-mill, five-year levy to help replace outdated equipment and make some updates. The department applies for numerous state and federal grants to help alleviate the financial burden, Anderson said. However, with the staggering cost of equipment, the Fire Department is forced to turn to voters. “We’re not trying to gouge anybody,” Anderson said. “We’re trying to be sincere with our residents. Unfortunately, we’ve come to that point where we have to make additional purchases.”