Motion to Repeal Schulenburg Fire Protection Fund Dies in Council

Fayette County’s recent two-cent property tax increase to fund the local fire departments caused a hiccup in Schulenburg this week as one City Council member there proposed eliminating another long-standing funding source for the Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department.

The City of Schulenburg implemented a Fire Protection Fund in 1985. City utility customers can contribute $1.50 per month to the fund through a voluntary donation on their utility bill. The bill does not state that the charge is voluntary nor is there any check box to opt-out of the charge on their bill. Customers who wish to opt-out must call City Hall to remove the charge.

City administrator Tami Blaschke-Walker said the program generates about $25,000 a year.

Alderman Harvey Hercik motioned to repeal the Fire Protection Fund at the Schulenburg City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 3. After a lengthy discussion, Hercik’s motion failed to attract a second from any of the other council members and died without a vote.

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