The Pennington County Commissioners acknowledged the consolidation of a number of fire districts to create just one. The Hayward, Hermosa and Keystone Fire Districts are merging into the Battle Creek Fire District. Fire Administrator Jerome Harvey said these are tax districts…Taxpayers were allowed to form a district, and pay to provide extra protection for themselves, above what the County provides. Commissioner George Ferribee, focusing on county fire fund, had questions about who pays for what, saying that some get their service for free, while others bear the cash burden…
Recently retired Pennington County Fire Administrator Denny Gorton said that the other counties don’t get free services…
Commissioner Mark Disanto asked for clarification…
A spokesperson for the auditors office said the larger district will set up by-laws, plan how they will function as a single district, at which time they could reset their levy.
By: KOTA’s Marnie Cook
