LEAD - A petition drive is under way to increase funding for fire protection services in Lead and south of the community.

People who sign the petition support a public vote to create a property tax district for the Lead Fire Department.

Lead Fire Chief Tim Eggers and the Lead city administrator fielded questions and comments on the proposal Thursday in a 90-minute meeting. About 30 fire department supporters and local residents heard the proposal to collect new taxes from property owners to fund department equipment and buildings.

The boundaries of the proposed district include the city of Lead, and areas roughly described as Terry Peak, Deer Mountain, Wharf Resources and Rochford Road, including the Bulldog Ranch.

The district has already been mapped by Lawrence County, as well as others, for territorial coverage of the departments. The Whitewood and Spearfish Canyon fire departments have taxation districts.

Eggers said the concept is not a new one for Lead. It was proposed in the late 1990s, but didn't move beyond the idea stage.

The city of Lead provides $55,000 each year to the department, but Eggers said that is not enough to buy a new structure protection truck or to buy a replacement brush fire truck.

If petition carriers gather 82 valid signatures from rural registered voters by Jan. 21, an April 8 election date could be set. That is the same date scheduled for local city and school elections.

If it passes, a fire-district governing board would be seated immediately, and efforts would begin for the allotment of the district's resources. The governing board would oversee department operations, removing city oversight.

The board would have three representatives from Lead and two from outside of Lead.

The district's governing board would have taxing authority, but not regulatory power - for instance, the power to tell people to cut nuisance trees.

"They (the board) are there to fund, to equip and to maintain fire protection within the district," Eggers said.

Eggers projected the mil levy of 0.8 would generate about $180,000 annually for the district. It computes to about $80 per year for homes valued at $100,000.

City taxpayers already pay $55 per $100,000 for fire, and would incur an additional $25 per year under the proposed plan.

Eggers said the district would be able to borrow money to build a new fire hall and buy trucks.

Proposed fire district

The proposal: Create a fire protection district for Lead and areas south to Rochford Road.

New taxes: Property owners in Lead would see an increase of $25 per year for each $100,000 in valuation.

Rural property owners would see an increase of $80 per year for each $100,000 in valuation. The current valuation of the district is $234 million.

The department: The Lead Fire Department has eight active trucks

The election: If 82 valid signatures are gathered by Jan. 21, an election could be held April 8.