The Connersville City Council unanimously approved a 0.25 percent public safety tax on earned income within city limits during a recent meeting. The tax, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, aims to address pressing needs within the city’s police, fire, and emergency medical services, including increasing wages for the police department, which is reportedly the lowest paid compared to cities of similar size and staffing in the state.
Bentonville Volunteer Fire Chief Chad Ripberger, who also serves as a captain on the Connersville fire department,voiced strong support for the tax during the meeting. Ripberger highlighted the differing needs of volunteer and city departments.
“Both fire departments support this increase. The volunteers cover 90 percent of the county and our needs are different... On the county side, we need this tax for equipment to continue to operate ... On the city side, we need wage increases. ... We have become a training ground because [firefighters] are leaving for $20,000 more 45 minutes away.”
Erica Free, the 911 director in Decatur County and a Fayette County resident, emphasized the need for competitive wages within the dispatch center.
“Your dispatch center has a base pay of $32,000, our dispatchers come in at $42,422 ... As the director of Decatur County, I’m making $60,000, and the director here in 2024 submitted a salary of $44,000 ... I’m driving 47 miles per day ... I live here but I’m doing the same work 40 minutes away.”
Mayor Chad Frank acknowledged concerns about the allocation of funds between city and county departments. He indicated a preference for the city, which has a larger share of paid first responders, to receive a greater portion of the revenue. However, the final decision on allocation will be made by the council.
The tax revenue will be used to bolster public safety through increased staffing, equipment upgrades, advanced training initiatives, and enhanced emergency response capabilities. It is expected to address challenges such as aging equipment,firefighter and dispatcher retention, and increased call volumes for both fire and EMS.
The tax has elicited mixed reactions from Connersville residents, with some praising the city’s commitment to public safety and others raising concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers.
The tax ordinance now awaits consideration by the Fayette County Council, where it will be subject to further review and public comment before it is officially completed.
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