NAMPA -- It's an election that will determine the future of the Middleton Rural Fire District.
Voters must decide on a million dollar levy that would give the district money to operate on.
A temporary levy that was passed nearly two years ago beefed up the fire district's budget by nearly $1 million.
It took them from volunteer basis to a department with nine full-time firefighters, and dozens of volunteers and resources.
Fire Chief Brad Trosky says the difference was significant: response times were cut in half from nearly nine minutes to about four minutes.
"Because of the rapid response times with the crews being in house instead of being a falling house fire, we've been able to contain it to a room and contents fire and get the families out of their houses with no injuries and they've been able to move back into their houses in a relatively short period of time," said Trosky.
The levy will expire at the end of this year, and for firefighter service to continue, the district wants voters to again approve a temporary levy, but some disagree with the idea.
One viewer e-mailed KTVB and said they've had to take a pay cut and money is tight. Another said approving the levy would just continue an outrageous tax we are already paying.
"That's the beauty of where we live. we live in a democracy and everybody has the ability to prioritize what they feel is important. The people that are skeptical as to the need, you know, there are definitely communities our size and bigger that operate on an all-volunteer basis," said Trosky. "However, we've been able to, over the last two years, we've been able to see a direct positive impact."
Trosky says if the levy fails, the district will start to lay off firefighters as early as next year.
It may then join another fire protection agency or go back to volunteer basis, but the fear is response times will go back up.
Those in favor argue the cost of the levy may be lower than what people think.
"At the end of the day a typical $100,000 home would up paying an an additional $85 a year," said Trosky.
A few months ago, the fire district asked residents if they would approve the levy on a permanent basis, but voters turned it down.
And it was a dismal turnout, just five percent of voters showed up.
They're hoping more voters will show up Tuesday.
