The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District is seeking voter approval for a referendum on the March 17 election ballot, which would increase the district's property tax levy. For an average homeowner with a $100,000 home, current taxes to the fire district amount to $153 per year. If the proposal passes, this could rise by $33, bringing the total to $186 annually. Currently, the district is allowed to collect up to $963,994 in taxes, but it is requesting an increase to $1,152,054.

A key reason behind the proposed tax hike is the significant rise in insurance costs—specifically, a 52% increase in general and workers' compensation insurance. These costs are tied to employee wages, and as minimum wage increases, so do these expenses. With the state’s minimum wage already rising this year and set to reach $15 per hour by 2025, the fire district warns that its current budget will be entirely consumed by payroll, leaving no funds for daily operations.

Emergency calls to the fire department have increased by 43% over the past 19 years. However, the district only has three full-time members, which leads to a "jump crew" situation. When an ambulance or fire call comes in, all three respond, which can result in long response times if help must be called from neighboring towns like McHenry or Richmond—potentially leading to a 12- to 15-minute delay.

Additionally, the district's equipment is aging. One of its primary fire engines is now 26 years old. Modern engines offer better safety features, especially in the event of a rollover, and require less maintenance. Upgrading to newer vehicles would reduce repair costs and allow the district to avoid pouring more money into outdated machinery.

If the referendum is approved, the fire district won’t see any additional funding immediately. However, after a one-year period, they plan to issue a bid for a new engine. Without the increase, the district may have to reduce the number of personnel on duty, which could further impact response times and service quality.

To keep costs down, the fire district has taken steps such as applying for state grants and reducing command staff by not replacing employees who have left. Despite these efforts, the financial strain continues to grow, making the upcoming vote critical for the future of the department.

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