(Vote passed with no nays) On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department requested authorization from St. Mary’s County Commissioners to hold a public hearing and meetings to discuss a Fire Tax rate increase.
This increase would go from the current rate of 0.024, to $0.056 which equates to $111.54 per household yearly, or $9.30 a month.
This fire tax has been 0.024 since it was established in 1990.
The maximum Fire Tax Rate is currently .056., Ridge, Mechanicsville, and Leonardtown VFD’s all requested meetings on 1/23/2024 to discuss their fire tax rate being increased to the maximum rate.
The vote passed with all yeses and no opposing votes with public meetings/discussions being held February 2nd and 9th, 2024, with the public hearing on February 14th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., located at the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, with public comment ending Feb.21st.
Additional information will be provided on the meetings/discussions along with their set dates, times, and location soon.
Leonardtown VFD currently has 84 members with their average call volume from the last 5 years being 769 calls.
Operational cost and maintenance/support which has significantly increased.
- PPE (gear, SCBA, and protective equipment) increased 40% since 2019
- Fuel increased 20% (over the past 5 years)
- Facility cost, maintenance and support increased 7.5% over the past 3 years.
The current firehouse was built in 1964 and does not meet the needs of today’s membership or living arrangements. Intent is to build capital, seek new property, build a new firehouse to meet their needs and acquire replacement/new apparatus.
