05/18/2026
To whom it may concern,
Inregards to The Odon Fire Department, Are Fire Department members have for the last 120 years been providing coverage to the Town of Odon, and surrounding Communities. I want to make the Community aware of the Events that have taken place and are currently taking place. The Odon Fire Department and Madison Twp Fire Department Share a building. Odon has 1 Fire Engine and 1 Rescue Truck. Madison Twp has 1 Fire Engine, 1 Tanker and 1 Brush Truck. Odon members are not allowed to drive Madison Twp Fire Trucks. Currently, the Town Board of Odon is waiting for a contract from Madison Twp Trustee. Why would that be a bad thing? It's not, done right this would be a good thing for the Community. Unfortunately, the Town has not asked any member of The Odon Fire Department if we are for this. Another issue with it is, Madison Twp will not keep all the members of the Odon Fire Department if there was a Contract and I personally don’t feel that is fair to my members. Every member on Odon Fire was on board with a Fire District, Not the Town Contracting the Safety of the Public to Madison Twp. The Township and Town were presented with an option to where all members would be able to stay on the Department. Doing a Fire District doesn’t do away with any Volunteers. It gives us the option to add more and provides the people Volunteering better and safer equipment to do their job!
At the Fire Chief’s meeting in January, Commissioner Gaphart & Councilman Sprinkle spoke about doing Fire District’s in Daviess County. The County is fronting this cost, it is no cost on the town or Fire Department. What did that look like? Currently Southeast Fire District and Veale Fire District are 2 separate Fire Districts in Daviess County. Cannelburg & Montgomery will be Forming a District in Barr Township. Plainville & Elnora will be Forming a Fire District in Elmore, Steele, & Bogard Townships. The Town of Odon, Madison Township & Van Buren Township was not included in this. So, I asked and told them the Odon Fire Department was interested in becoming a Fire District. Madison Township did not want to. In Compliance with IC Code 36-8-11-4 County legislation may establish Fire Protection Districts. Town & Cities must Sign a Consent Ordinance or a Resolution to be put into a Fire District.
In March, The Odon Council was presented with a Consent Ordinance. The Council voted on the Ordinance and passed 3-0. Also, the Members of the Odon Fire Department are 100% on board with Forming a Fire District. Why? What is a Fire District? What does the Town of Odon gain by forming a Fire District.
Why? Currently the Odon Fire Department is 100% Volunteer, Also Madison Township Fire Department is 100% Volunteer. Therefor when someone calls 911, Volunteers are notified by either their Phone via an App, a Pager or a Radio. Then a Person has to drive from wherever they might be and respond to the Fire Station to get a Fire truck. This takes time and not always are every 911 call answered by a Fire Department. It’s not just a Daviess County Problem it’s a Nationwide problem. Volunteers are harder to come by and not everyone works in town. This is at no fault to any member of the Odon or Madison Twp Fire Departments. Its Facts.
Also, the Odon Fire Department is A BLS Non-Transport Certified Department. Madison Twp Fire Department is not A BLS Non-Transport. Odon has Medical Equipment on both Odon Trucks. Madison Twp does not have any. Odon has all the Rescue Equipment. Madison Twp does not have any. What does this mean for the Odon Taxpayer? The Town of Odon has fronted the bill for all Wrecks and Medical runs For Madison Twp & Van Buren Twp. Since the start of the Fire Department.
Another Issue that upsets me is Van Buren Twp has been paying Odon-Madison Twp Fire Department for coverage. This has been going on since 1990, and Odon Fire has never seen any of that money. Odon responds on every run Madison Twp does and sometimes responds to run in the 2 Townships when a member of their Fire Department doesn’t. So, the Town Contracting Fire Protection to Madison Township I don’t Feel is the best option for our community. Will Madison Twp become BLS Non-Transport? Why does that matter?
We face the issue of the Hospital Ambulance service, and this is also at no fault to Any employee of the Ambulance service. The county provides Tax Dollars to the Hospital for them to run the Ambulance service. The Hospital does Hospital to Hospital Transfers. These Transfers have to happen, but I don’t feel the Citizens of Daviess County should have to front the bill for a For-profit facility. So therefor if the Odon Ambulance either has to do a Transfer or makes a 911 call the Odon Ambulance is gone anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. It leaves the Citizens of Northern Daviess County without a 911 Ambulance. Then you have to wait for the Cannelburg Ambulance if it's Staffed that day or 1 of the 2 Ambulances in Washington. How do you Fix this? A Fire District that has Fire Base EMS. Don’t believe me? It’s happening all over the United States, Fire Department’s/Fire Districts are Running Ambulances. Most of these Fire Department are thriving as well. I would rather see my Citizens tax dollars go to the Fire District then A For-profit organization.
What is a Fire District? Why are some against having a Fire District?
A Fire District in Indiana is a special-purpose, independent taxing unit created to provide fire protection and emergency services, often covering unincorporated areas or merging multiple communities. Unlike city fire departments, these districts are governed by an appointed board rather than city council, funded directly by dedicated property taxes within their specific geographic boundaries.
Structure: They are established under IC 36-8-11 as special taxing districts, acting as a "municipal corporation".
Purpose: They focus on fire prevention, protection, and EMS services for specific geographic areas, often rural or suburban, which may include townships or parts of them.
Governance: Controlled by a fire board or board of trustees (often 3 or 5 members) appointed by county commissioners, allowing for independent management.
Funding: Funded through a uniform property tax levy on real property within the district to pay for operations and equipment.
Who approves the Fire District Budget?
The County in which the Fire District is located. Who Controls the Fire District? The 3-to-5-person board that appoints a Fire Chief to run day-to-day Operations. Who Appoints the Board Members? The County Commissioners are who appoint the Fire District Board. Why does it matter that the County Commissioners appoint the Board? IC Code 36-8-11-12 says that they must.
Why are people against becoming a Fire District?
The short answer is I Don’t Know, because everyone would rather not talk to me to see my view on how Public Safety should be running in Northern Daviess County. Long answer is in most cases,
people don’t like losing power
They don’t want to lose control
They don't want it to be Fair for both Department moving Foward.
They think the county is going to give their equipment or trucks to another Department
In my Opinion doing a Fire District is the fairest option for any Departments Merging together. Most importantly it is a way for the Fire Service to provide the absolute best Service they can. Why Be Against IMPROVING Your Public Safety? That is a question for the Powers above me. There is not one negative thing about Doing a Fire District. It improves Public Safety!
How is a Fire District Funded?
Fire districts in Indiana are primarily funded through property taxes levied on all real and personal property within the district's boundaries. These districts are municipal corporations that set annual budgets, approved by local and state officials, to fund operations, equipment, and staff through a uniform property tax rate.
Property Tax Levies: The core funding mechanism, where a tax is levied on property owners.
Approval Process: Annual budgets and tax rates must be approved by the county fiscal body and the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF).
Alternative Funding: Fire districts may also receive funding through donations or specialized grants.
Tax Limits: Funding is subject to levy limitations and property tax caps (circuit breakers).
The tax levy is designed to cover all necessary expenses for the district, including salaries, repairs, and equipment, which are not paid for by other sources. Ultimately the (DLGF) Indiana Department of Local Government and Finance is who say yes or no you can get this Tax rate for your Fire District.
Whats a Tax Rate for a Fire District?
As of 2026, the new Indiana law (Senate Bill 1) caps the property tax rate for many fire protection territories at $0.40 per $100 of assessed property value, aiming to standardize costs for emergency services. Rates can vary by specific district. Example of rates for Current Fire Districts in DAVIESS COUNTY, INDIANA. Veale Fire District collects 0.05 per $100 of assessed Property value. Southeast Fire District collects 0.12 per $100 of assessed property value. Both Department have no issues operating as a Fire District. Neither of these Fire District’s make as many Runs as Odon Fire Department.
What would the Tax rate be? Unfortunately, without the Town of Odon and Madison Twp moving forward with this. Selection of the 3 board members and the board members selecting the Fire Chief. A budget can’t be built for this, to determine the Tax rate. I can give you some fact-based numbers.
Madison Twp. (CNAV) Certified Net Assessed Value $152,084,277
Van Buren Twp (CNAV) $206,725,112
Town of Odon (CNAV) $53,892,841
The Town (CNAV) is included in Madison Twp (CNAV).
Adding these 2 numbers together you would get, $358,809,389. Taking this and dividing it by 100 and then times that by the max 0.40 would be $1,435,237.55. Now the (DLGF) Department of Local Government and Finance would not approve us to go the max. What they look at is what hardship would that cause are tax base. Unfortunately, I can’t give you an actual tax number until they would decide to move forward with this. The county also has the option to give portions of the local income tax for these areas to help keep this number down. As well as if the Fire District was to provide EMS, the county could give money to help run that also.
Currently, the budget for the Odon Fire Department is $47,000. Madison Twp budget is $83,500 plus the $13,000 they get from Van Buren Twp.
With Senate Bill 1, every Resident in Indiana is going to save money on Property Taxes. What does that mean for Public Safety? The Fire Department is not going to be able to stay in the business of helping people. Madison Twp is not going to be able to provide the community of Odon and 2 Townships with the Service they are going to need and deserve.
I encourage every resident to reach out to the Commissioners, Township Trustees, and Town Councils. Ask questions, show up to meetings, and let your voice be heard. 911 runs continue to go up each year. I want the Best Public Safety for not only my family but every community member. We have a chance to do something very special, and as it stands right now, nothing is being done other than the Township trying to contract their Fire Protection to the Town.
Any Questions, Comments or Concerns feel free to contact me.
