Muncie's fire privatization proposal prompts debate on safety

By Nick Werner, Star Press

nwerner@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE -- Safety is at the center of a debate on whether the city should privatize its fire department.

There's no doubt a private fire department would cost less than the current public fire department, according to Ball State University economist Michael Hicks.

"The question is: Do you get the same service?" Hicks said.

Mayor Sharon McShurley announced Monday she was considering -- among other things -- privatizing the Muncie Fire Department to help compensate for an expected shortfall of $7 million in tax revenue between 2009 and 2010 combined. The city is expected to spend about $9.5 million on the fire department in 2008, or a little more than one-third of the general fund.