LINN  — Linn Fire Protection District board members approved a tax levy for the coming year at $.2653 per $100 assessed valuation.

Treasurer Julie Ruettgers noted that based on valuation of $121,681,508, an increase from $114,674,399 last year, the maximum the district could collect is $322,821.04. However, LFPD always budgets for 97% collection, which would be $313,136.41, about $10,000 more than last year.

“We normally have been setting it at the max, and I see no reason to go any lower,” said Chairman Scott Herndon, adding that the 2024 rate is lower than the $.2671 approved for 2023.

“I think we do a good job with what we get,” said Chief Ron Hoffman.

The district’s assessed valuation has increased by about $20 million over the last two years. Some questioned whether the additional student housing for State Tech has driven up valuation.

In other business, board members were also concerned about SB 190, which would allow counties to suspend property tax increases for seniors eligible for Social Security, own a home, and are required to make tax payments on that home.

The freeze on property tax rates would only apply to the primary residences of those aged 65 and older.

“My understanding is the county commissioners will have to put that to a vote or petition before that can get passed,” said Herndon. “But there is a lot of gray area in whether they can force tax districts (such as LFPD) to go with that because they have no power over taxes. It just might be the county that gets stung if it gets voted on.”

Herndon added he is unsure commissioners will take up the issue, but a voter-driven petition could compel an election. “From what I’ve read, it’s a great big gray area because the law does not say if it’s strictly for the county or all taxes. It’s something to keep in mind for the future because if it does pass, and they say that we have to abide by it, then it’s retroactive, and we will have to come up with the money.”

• Hoffman is still concerned about how the fire department is supposed to combat electric vehicle fires. “If your car catches fire in the parking lot, that’d be great,” he said. “I’ll cone it off, and we’ll drive around for days. But if it’s on the road, that’s another story.”

If the EV is upside down in a ravine and burning at 4,000 degrees, firefighters can’t get to it. “You also have MoDOT, which wants a 90-minute road-open policy,” said Hoffman of the Missouri Department of Transportation. “So they’re talking about throwing a blanket on it, walking away for two hours while the traffic subsides, then coming back to the scene.”

The best option is to smother flames with a 25-square-foot blanket designed for the purpose. However, they’re costly, with a single-use blanket at $1,500. Hoffman noted he was told the insurance company wouldn’t cover the blankets, but he believes it would be easier to submit a claim to replace a single-use blanket than a multiple-use model, which costs $4,000. “Insurance is not buying off on all this liability,” said Hoffman.

Provided the department could extinguish an EV fire, the vehicle would have to be taken to one of only two places in the country that recycles these cars.

“There’s no easy solution to this problem,” he said. “We’re just trying to be proactive. I don’t want to have an EV fire in the middle of Linn, four feet from the courthouse, and be unable to manage it.

Hoffman will continue to research options, including grant possibilities.

• Board members approved an agreement with Lock’s Mill Propane to deliver 1,500 gallons at $1.85 per gallon.

• Hoffman reported that the district’s server failed, and Eric Reichel of Remote Computer Services is replacing it with an external drive.

• Hoffman said he received an invitation from the Bugle Boys, an organization in Jefferson City that salutes first responders, to attend the annual dinner.

• Board members approved bills totaling $2,254.73.

• Ruettgers’ report showed a checking balance of $218,573.83, a savings balance of $207,716.31, and a certificate of deposit balance of $311,246.86.

• The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 21.