Richland and Ellitzville continue steps toward joint fire protection territory; township homeowners face modest tax increase

Officials at the Richland Township and Town of Ellitzville reorganization meeting said forming a joint fire protection territory would address rising call volumes and staffing challenges.

Fire Chief Kevin Patton said the Ellitzville Fire Department staffs 17 full-time and 21 part-time firefighters and that roughly 70% of calls are medical in nature. Patton told the committee that the territory would give both entities a seat on the governing board and would formalize tax and governance arrangements.

Financial presenter Paige Sansson of Baker Tilly summarized estimated property-tax impacts: an estimated 7.9% increase for Richland Township taxing districts and about 4.2% for Ellitzville districts; Sansson said the average Richland Township residential property would see an increase of approximately $193 per year. Committee members asked about operational continuity; officials said residents should not notice differences in the level of emergency services during or after reorganization.

The meeting was the second of four required steps; no final vote to form the territory was recorded at this session.